The Dunning-Kruger effect is a psychological phenomenon in which individuals with low ability at a task overestimate their own competence in that task, due to a lack of metacognitive awareness (the ability to recognize one's own abilities and limitations). This effect is named after psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger, who first described it in a 1999 paper.
For example, an individual with limited experience in a particular field (such as auto repair or cooking) may believe they are capable of performing complex tasks in that field, but their lack of knowledge and skill in that area will result in them making mistakes or poor decisions. On the other hand, experts in a field may underestimate the difficulty of a task and believe that others should be able to do it just as easily, when in fact, it may be very difficult for those with less experience or knowledge.
The Dunning-Kruger effect can be applied to many different areas and situations in life, such as:
Workplace: An employee who overestimates their abilities may take on tasks they are not equipped to handle, leading to poor performance and mistakes.
Education: A student who overestimates their understanding of a subject may not seek out additional resources or help, leading to poor grades and a lack of progress.
Political opinions: A person who lacks knowledge on a particular issue may hold strong, misinformed opinions and be unable to recognize their own ignorance.
Social media: An individual who is not well-versed in a particular topic may make uninformed or incorrect comments online, leading to confusion or spreading of false information.
Personal relationships: A person who overestimates their own interpersonal skills may struggle to form and maintain healthy relationships, due to a lack of self-awareness and understanding of their own limitations.
The Dunning-Kruger effect is just one of many psychological phenomena that can impact decision-making and behavior. Understanding this effect can help individuals be more aware of their own abilities and limitations, and make better decisions as a result.
The Dunning-Kruger effect effect occurs when a person’s lack of knowledge and skills in a certain area cause them to overestimate their own competence. By contrast, this effect also causes those who excel in a given area to think the task is simple for everyone, and underestimate their relative abilities as well.
https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/dunning-kruger-effect
