The Illusion Of Competence

In a 2018 study, 73% of American drivers reported that they are better than average drivers, which is impossible if we assume drivers follow a normal distribution. But this type of result is replicated in any other skill studies; humans tend to think they are better than they are.

David Dunning and Justin Kruger explored this effect in greater detail and realized something interesting. They discovered that the people with the lowest skill levels had the most significant gap between what they thought they knew and what they knew. By contrast, those with the most extensive expertise tended to underestimate their abilities.

This study became so famous that got its own name: the Dunning-Kruger Effect. One explanation for it is that when you learn just a little about something, you are not aware of the vastness of the area and tend to overestimate your ability. The other explanation is that people that get to the top of their field keep always an open mind about what they don’t know, which makes them learn faster.

Socrates famously “I only know that I don’t know nothing” and that might be the key to becoming an expert in a field. Fight the Dunning-Kruger Effect by embracing humility and maintaining a beginner's mindset.

Craving more? Check out the source behind this Brain Snack!