The Dunning-Kruger Effect
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning-Kruger_effect
The Dunning-Kruger effect is the phenomenon wherein people who have little knowledge (or
skill) tend to think that they know more (or have more skill) than they do, while others who
have much more knowledge tend to think that they know less. Dunning and Kruger were
awarded a 2000 Ig Nobel prize for their work.
Hypotheses
The phenomenon was demonstrated in a series of experiments performed by Justin Kruger
and David Dunning, both of Cornell University. Their results were published in the Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology in December 1999.[2]
Kruger and Dunning noted a number of previous studies which tend to suggest that in skills
as diverse as reading comprehension, operating a motor vehicle, and playing chess or tennis,
"ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge" (as Charles Darwin put
it). They hypothesized that with a typical skill which humans may possess in greater or lesser
degree,
Incompetent individuals tend to overestimate their own level of skill.
Incompetent individuals fail to recognize genuine skill in others.
Incompetent individuals fail to recognize the extremity of their inadequacy.
If they can be trained to substantially improve their own skill level, these individuals can
recognize and acknowledge their own previous lack of skill.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning-Kruger_effect
The Dunning-Kruger effect is the phenomenon wherein people who have little knowledge (or
skill) tend to think that they know more (or have more skill) than they do, while others who
have much more knowledge tend to think that they know less. Dunning and Kruger were
awarded a 2000 Ig Nobel prize for their work.
Hypotheses
The phenomenon was demonstrated in a series of experiments performed by Justin Kruger
and David Dunning, both of Cornell University. Their results were published in the Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology in December 1999.[2]
Kruger and Dunning noted a number of previous studies which tend to suggest that in skills
as diverse as reading comprehension, operating a motor vehicle, and playing chess or tennis,
"ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge" (as Charles Darwin put
it). They hypothesized that with a typical skill which humans may possess in greater or lesser
degree,
Incompetent individuals tend to overestimate their own level of skill.
Incompetent individuals fail to recognize genuine skill in others.
Incompetent individuals fail to recognize the extremity of their inadequacy.
If they can be trained to substantially improve their own skill level, these individuals can
recognize and acknowledge their own previous lack of skill.
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