Dunning-Kruger effect

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Behavioural economics.

The Dunning-Kruger effect is an irrational tendency among certain incompetent individuals systematically to overestimate their true level of competence.

In simple terms, the Dunning-Kruger effect is the reverse of the Impostor syndrome.

A possible explanation for the Dunning-Kruger effect is that the skills we need to assess our level of competence in a given task correctly, are exactly the same skills that we need to perform the task itself. Those lacking in the task 'performance' skills would then, necessarily, lack the 'competence assessment' skills too.

The Dunning-Kruger effect can however be 'cured' with even a relative moderate amount of appropriate training.


Such tendencies to assess evidence incorrectly are known collectively as 'cognitive bias'.


See also