The Dunning-Kruger Effect

If you have ever found yourself overestimating or underestimating your abilities, you might be under the Dunning-Kruger effect. The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people with low ability in a given area of expertise tend to overestimate their own competence. The lack of knowledge may limit their ability to accurately estimate their actual competence.

In contrast, people with high ability may underestimate their own competence. People who excel in a given area of competence may think that the task at hand is simple and easy for everyone, thus leading them to underestimate their abilities.

This effect can be manifested in various scenarios and areas such as academia or professional careers. This effect  can have negative consequences, as people who are overconfident in their abilities may make poor decisions. It can also lead to conflicts if those with inflated self-perceptions may have difficulty recognizing their mistakes.

The Dunning-Kruger effect highlights the importance seeking feedback and objective evaluation from others to gain a more accurate assessment of our abilities.

More can be found here.