The Dunning-Kruger effect is characterized by the inability of some people to be aware of their incompetence or ineptitude. It is a cognitive distortion whereby a person who actually has little ability to perform an activity, thinks that she has a lot, even more than some experts.
A very common example is that of a co-worker who thinks he is very capable and one of the best in the company / organization, although in reality he is one of the worst performers. It also usually occurs among young people who begin to practice a sport, learn something and overestimate their real abilities, when in fact they have a low level of prenceptivity.
Torrente, a movie character who, although not very competent, thinks he is very competent
Generally this situation causes discomfort in people who realize the person who is going through this effect; however, she herself does not perceive it and believes with confidence in her abilities.
On the contrary, people who are competent have a tendency to underestimate their skills and abilities. Then there is a contradiction; While those who know more believe that they are not very competent, those who know less believe that they are very competent.
This trend opposite to the Dunning-Kruger effect exists in people who are aware that they still need to learn a lot and continue to improve, even if they already have high knowledge and skills. An example would be that of a doctor who is aware that he still has a lot to learn.
It also occurs in high-level professionals who are already at the top of a capacity or ability, but they perceive that they have a low ability. An example would be a programmer who thinks he is mediocre even though he is one of the best in a certain organization.
Other behaviors that these researchers predict are:
- Incompetent individuals tend to overestimate their own ability.
- Incompetent individuals are unable to recognize the ability of others.
- Incompetent individuals are unable to recognize their extreme inadequacy.
- If they can be trained to substantially improve their own skill level, these individuals can recognize and accept their prior lack of skills.
Real examples
This effect can be seen in some statements by celebrities in the media. For example, there is a footballer named Mario Balotelli who said he was the best in the world, better than Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, although in reality he was not in the top 100, probably not in the top 500.
It can also be observed in statements by actors:
The opposite effect - perceiving little competition in oneself - is observed in one of the great geniuses of history. Albert Einstein said:
"It's not that I'm very smart, it's that I'm with problems longer."
And even in comedies. Is there a greater exponent than Torrente? For those who do not know him, he is a totally incompetent detective who believes that he is fit and that he is one of the best in his profession.
Too little knowledge can be dangerous
This effect seems to be more pronounced the less knowledge or skill one has of something. The more a person studies or more knowledge has, the more aware he is of all that remains to be known. Hence the "I only know that I know nothing" of Socrates.
On the other hand, people who know very little or have little ability are not aware of everything they do not know and hence it can be dangerous.
A clear exponent are politicians. How can it be that they make such mistakes in public and do things so badly? Why do they manage public money so badly?
In Spain, there have been cases of politicians who speak at important events in Spanglish, who say that someone is not poor because they have Twitter or that they make up words in Valencian.
In Latin America there are also numerous cases of politicians from any country.
Is this effect only in fools?
Actually the Dunning-Kruger effect applies to everyone, not just fools. It is a human cognitive bias and it applies to everyone.
That is, when we have little competition in something, we all tend to believe that we have more than the real thing. What is true is that some people continue to improve their skill level, while others stop or act in complicated, compromised or important situations when they should have continued to improve…
Solutions
The solution is critical thinking, using a logical thinking process, and most of all, humility. In addition to critical thinking, self-assessment is a skill that we should all develop.
And as Socrates said:
"The only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing."
Guided by that principle, you will never stop learning.
You can also be guided by one of the principles proposed in the book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind; always have a beginner mentality, to be more attentive to the world and always ready to learn.
And you do you think? Do you fall for this effect? Do you know of people who screw up because they think they know too much? I am interested in your opinion. Thank you!
References
- JJ de la Gándara Martín (2012). Psychosomatic medicine notebooks - dialnet.unirioja.es