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Dunning–Kruger Effect
What is it?
The Dunning–Kruger Effect is a cognitive bias where people with low ability or knowledge in a particular area overestimate their competence, while those with high ability tend to underestimate theirs.
The Dunning–Kruger effect happens when people with low skill or knowledge in something think they are much better at it than they actually are. Meanwhile, experts might underestimate their own abilities because they assume others know just as much.
Key Idea:
- Low Skill = High Confidence: Beginners often don’t know enough to realize what they don’t know, so they overestimate their skills.
- High Skill = Lower Confidence: Experts are aware of the complexities and may doubt themselves, even though they are highly skilled.
Simple Examples:
1. The Singing Contest Example:
- A person who sings terribly at karaoke might believe they sound amazing because they can't hear their mistakes.
- Meanwhile, a professional singer might stress over tiny flaws in their performance that most people wouldn’t notice.
2. The DIY Home Repair Example:
- Someone with no plumbing experience might feel confident about fixing a leaking pipe after watching one YouTube video.
- A professional plumber might hesitate or double-check their work because they know how many things could go wrong.
3. The Student Example:
- A student who barely studied f ...