The Dunning Kruger Effect - Learn how to recognise this common cognitive bias

Have you ever felt confident in your knowledge of a topic, only to find out that you have a lot more to learn? This is a common cognitive bias called The Dunning Kruger Effect and it causes people to overestimate their abilities. In this video I'll show you how to recognise it in yourself and others.
Related video on Appeal to Authority: • Appeal to Authority: W...
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Notes and Additional Resources:
Here is a link to the original paper by David Dunning and Justin Kruger - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10626...
I cited The Decision Lab for their advice on overcoming the Dunning-Kruger effect, but they have a lot more information on this and a range of other cognitive biases. I recommend checking out their site - thedecisionlab.com/biases/dun...
This article on Psychology today also has some helpful tips for overcoming the Dunning-Kruger effect - www.psychologytoday.com/us/ba...
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[@renojohnson6330]

Heard a great example with chess. The idea is that the skill gap between an average toddler and an average adult is the is smaller than an average adult and an average grandmaster. The adult would assume that they are closer to a grandmaster than to a toddler because that’s how it makes sense logically. But since they don’t understand chess at a grandmaster level, they also don’t understand what they do not know about chess. The first step to improving is understanding not the thing it self, but what you do not know about it.

[@thesciencelens]

I hadn't heard about this one. It's a great example. Makes you realise just how high a level those grand masters are working at! You're absolutely right with that last statement. Being aware of how much you don't know might seem like an impossible task, but it's so important. Thanks for sharing :)

[@bjrnkaae540]

Great video. If you want a small tip to make your video more personal, I would suggest looking directly into the camera. ❤

[@thesciencelens]

Thanks! Yeah, unfortunately that's unavoidable for me :( I'm not a good enough performer to memorise all of my lines so I have to use a teleprompter. I might have to try and find a smaller one so it's less noticeable. Appreciate the feedback.

[@privateprivate8366]

I don’t seem to have this issue. But, I’ve been smacked HARD with a prime example of it. I am going through probate. I believe my sister is a malignant case of narcissism and the DK Effect. I’ve never seen such overconfidence, in conjunction with not knowing anything and continuously telling the judge that I don’t know what I’m doing. Never said I knew what I was doing. I’m pro se (representing myself legally). I knew I didn’t know and that’s why I jumped on the internet, to get probate going. But I at least KNOW I’m not a lawyer. Heck, I’m a graphics professional. But, my sister? She doesn’t know the difference between a caregiver/squatter and an estate executor. She doesn’t know there wasn’t going to even be an executor, until our mother passed. Judging by things, she really doesn’t even know what a caregiver is and doesn’t even know she’s a squatter. Doesn’t know she doesn’t own the property she’s been squatting in, just because she’s paying property taxes. Doesn’t know she can’t insure or sell it. But she is CERTAINLY CONVINCED that the way to do things is to just move in, pay property taxes and maintain the property. Wanna know HOW overconfident she is? When the judge appointed a court-appointed admin - my sister STILL acted as if she was executor and even property manager. Spoke over the judge and said, “But I’m executor.” I told the court that I don’t really think she recognizes them as an authority. And when the court approved me changing the lock on the property I’d receive? My sister sent them an email telling them she didn’t agree - broke in and changed the lock again, so I couldn’t get in. I’m going to make the assumption that, once probate ends, I may need to have her arrested for breaking and entering. So, that’s how bad it can be and I’m sure there’s worse stories.

[@thesciencelens]

Whoa. That's quite a story! Sounds like you're dealing with a lot. Family's can be tough. Thanks for sharing. Definitely seems like an example of this effect. I hope everything with the house works out.

[@privateprivate8366]

@@thesciencelens well, fortunately, once probate is complete and deeds are transferred, we’ll no longer be related, which will be as part of my Will. Never seen anything like it. But, perhaps, DK can be a part of malignant narcissism. Time for Kung Fu.

[@vahidyarmohamadi1437]

Great video thank you 👍

[@thesciencelens]

Thank you for watching!

[@mate5791]

Great presentation, I can definitely relate to that.

[@thesciencelens]

We've all been there! Thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@mz2984]

I enjoyed this video, because it was easy to understand along with the handy illustration curve. I also appreciated that the references were cited and mentioned in the video. Very few presenters do this. I'm a mature student fairly new in studying a Higher National in engineering (UK) so this was a great topic for me to ve aware of, especially now that I know the importance for citing references in my assignments.

[@thesciencelens]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I do think it's important to cite sources. Not only to give credit to people for their hard work but also to show people where to go if they want to learn more. Good luck with the studies!

[@hunnybadger442]

But what if you're confident in your abilities and it's warranted? I've always been extremely aware of my abilities and my limitations... And so far I've been correct... I actually do know what I'm talking about... Because I don't talk about things I'm not confident in my knowledge of...

[@thesciencelens]

Of course. There is definitely a point on the curve where a person is confident in their abilities with good reason. I think the big takeaway from understanding the Dunning Kruger effect is just remembering to be self reflective and try to see your abilities objectively.

[@Abrenes06]

Love your vids!

[@thesciencelens]

Thanks for watching!

[@melissajensen4901]

Dude, I am one minute in to this video, and you literally just debunked a straw-man.