You Don't Know Yourself as Well as You Think

[@surabhi_kumari]

" You don't know yourself as well as you think ." I know that .

[@stoffers6419]

Or do you? -Vsauce Michael

[@Miranox2]

I know that you know that you don't know yourself.

[@engr.enciso]

your profile is perfect for this comment

[@surabhi_kumari]

@@Miranox2 how did you know that 👀

[@Miranox2]

@@surabhi_kumari It's a mystery.

[@aKugelblitz]

“When I finished elementary school, I learned new things When I finished high school, I thought I only had a few thing left to learn When I finished university, I learned that I know nothing.”

[@Jake12220]

Then clearly you learned a lot more at University than many others. A lot of University graduates have to wait till they have some job experience to realise how little they truly understand.

[@mattomanx77]

In America: "When I finished elementary school, I learned new things When I finished high school, I learned nothing When I finished college, I earned crippling debt" Help :D

[@slappy8941]

Stick with it and get your PhD, and everything you know will be wrong.

[@happystripedelephant3482]

"I only know one thing and that is I know nothing." -Socrates

[@aizad330]

Fair point. That's life for you. The more you know the more you feel how ignorant you are than you thought.

[@evaristegalois6282]

“You don’t know yourself as well as you think” Hey, you don’t know me! And apparently neither do I ...

[@sdfkjgh]

I may be crazy, but so am I.

[@utkarshdixit5567]

You got that right

[@PathBeyondTheDark]

Why doesn't the video address the social movement of the last 30+ years, the one that consistently attempts to teach children they are "special" no matter their shortcomings. Do not get me wrong, I think this ideal is something worth striving toward. However the execution has been poor at best, generations of children mistaking the message as an excuse to grow up with an inflated ego. I know I am sounding harsh, thats not my intention. But seeing how ideas such as responsibility are becoming less and less of a focal point in children's media, along with my interactions with children of today as well as generations that grew up during this period, I worry about people's ability to really understand themselves in a manner that allows them to truly be better individuals rather than just treking through life living a lie to remain sane. There is a reason self harm and mental instability are all time highs; my guess is that at least part of it is more and more people are being whiplashed by all the self deception they see on a daily basis. Living in reality is harder than living in fantasy, and for some that is just too much of a burden to bare. Of course I have zero evidence of this. This is based solely on my observations as well as how I know I myself have felt at one point or another.

[@Kynk]

This is exactly why people thinking critically about themselves is so important.

[@celestialapparitions]

Hmm but now I don't know if I'm underestimating myself or overestimating myself because I don't know myself well enough to know how good I am at things. Yikes.

[@Trynsa]

Something my husband and I have been talking a lot about lately is our tendency, as people, to think that everyone sees things through the same lens we do, the same processes, the same knowledge, the same reasoning. Being more aware of how we, ourselves, think, enables us to better approach asking how someone else might function differently, and it's been interesting to discuss.

[@Thuazabi]

I've been receiving psychotherapy (multiple types) for nearly 30 years. This has involved almost a dozen different therapists in that time, each with their own takes and styles. Take it from someone that talks about themselves and their problems a couple times a month with professionals: you are always changing as a person, and so you will never know yourself completely. Often the best you can do is figure out who you WERE and what led that person to (at a fundamental/non-superficial level) make the choices they did that resulted in your current life situation. From there, it's less about knowing yourself in the moment and more about figuring out strategies and methods to shape the present you into who you want to be, so that you have a shot at a future that is better than what you currently have. All of that starts with having to admit you know nothing, and then asking why.

[@IRosamelia]

This comment is actually more informative than the video 😄

[@captainzork6109]

What have you had so many therapists for, if I may ask? And was it necessary for you to be in therapy for so long, or do you wish you could’ve terminated your relationship with therapists at some point?

[@IRosamelia]

@@captainzork6109 isn't that too personal to ask? 🤔

[@captainzork6109]

Surfer Rosa Oh, maybe I made my question sound too obtrusive. But if it’s not certain whether I’m too personal or not, then I’d like to find out

[@Jake12220]

I spent 15 years talking to psychiatrists after finding out lm autistic, partly working out my issues, but mainly getting a better understanding of how neurotypicals think and behaviour (seriously most people do completely illogical things constantly). I think the thing that most stands out is how idealistic l was when l was younger, l believed far more in right and wrong and as l got older l learned everything is gray. At this point l find it nearly impossible to be judgemental of others, because everyone did what they did due to bunch of different factors that led them to take the path they did. It's not to say everyone is equally good or bad, just that everyone has their reasons.

[@firefoxwaffles5357]

I personally think I can't do anything and feel useless all the time. Thanks, crippling anxiety!

[@nenidetic]

i can relate. i feel like whenever i make a few mistakes, i get frustrated because others are doing better. i also find it comforting when i notice that other people made the same mistakes as i did. and i literally named my account after this.

[@mnkatherine]

Same

[@anjujade1]

Same

[@AstraIVagabond]

Then... presumably, great job (on everything)!!

[@Jake12220]

I kind of feel like it's even worse to be me, lm totally capable of doing just about anything, but anxiety tends to make me give up as soon as l get frustrated by something. At least if your incapable of doing things then people shouldn't expect much from you, but lm just a huge stinking pile of untapped potential that keeps getting asked why l don't do more with my life.

[@18matts]

Here comes Hank to smash what little self confidence we have left. Thanks bud. You're like that friend I want to talk to less lol

[@GeorgeNoiseless]

No point building up a structure with a poor foundation -- gotta knock it all down and start over.

[@metametodo]

@@GeorgeNoiseless I agree. However sometimes I just don't want to build a significant structure, I just want to give up or just build a structure that keeps me a bit less wet and cold, nothing much, just withstand the day.

[@GeorgeNoiseless]

@@metametodo I see, well we all do what we can. Furthering the metaphor you can also try and move to a place with a milder climate so that you don't have to try as hard with your structures. But that's going to get more difficult, the way humanity is carrying on.

[@metametodo]

@@GeorgeNoiseless yeah, sometimes no matter how much you try to isolate yourself, the shitstorm is coming for you. Loved the clever climate reference.

[@GeorgeNoiseless]

@@metametodo Thank you, just following your lead. Have a good day and stay safe.

[@IntermarkGroupAgency]

Great video, and as Jonathan Haidt says "when it comes to moral judgments, we think we are scientists discovering the truth, but actually we are lawyers arguing for positions we arrived at by other means.”

[@planexshifter]

Bender of Futurama said it best: “Hmm, something tells me I could easily beat those trained professionals.”

[@xploration1437]

Good news everyone!

[@AyaMohamed-ij6hu]

I watch Hank's videos as a stress relief technique. Thank you! You are a wonderful person!

[@toniacollinske2518]

It's good to hear you articulate the concept that skilled people assume others know what they know. This realization came to me when I'd get frustrated that others weren't on the same page as me. Had to learn to understand where they are as a starting point rather than getting pissy. PS nobody really knows themselves.

[@TheGreatCalsby]

So glad you're working with braincraft! Two top-notch channels coming together for some solid science

[@Richie_Godsil]

Me and my low self-esteem keeping me nice and grounded... Lol

[@arleyhenostroza]

Anxiety and Depression must change a lot those assessments

[@TathD]

"The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity"

[@carissstewart3211]

I don't think I'm highly skilled at anything. Highly skilled people think they are not skilled, therefore I must be one of those people! 😉 But if I think I'm highly skilled, chances are I am not skilled at all. 😢 I am what I am.

[@zetharic1610]

LOL

[@carissstewart3211]

@@ticklemypickle6643 nope. I'd like to think of myself as an idiot savant, but, like you, I'm just an idiot.

[@Jake12220]

I'm autistic and sought out by many to solve their problems (especially anything related to a computer and strangely relationships), but lm definitely at the point of knowing enough to know how much l don't know. My issue isn't so much with overestimating my abilities as just being amazed how incapable many others can be at learning anything new.

[@The482075]

An outlier, since this generalisation does not apply to you.

[@TianXiaoMao]

You could also be not skilled at anything but moderately knowledgeable enough to know that you're not highly skilled...which is most likely.

[@jamesgrey13]

I think that the more skills you set out to learn, the more you realize that there are ALOT of skills...

[@Resident_Kriegsman]

I've always undersold myself, and in most cases been told that im way better than i believed myself to be

[@Jake12220]

Same here, though l think it's a little bit deliberate. Its always easier to impress someone when they don't expect so much of you and always easy to disappoint if they expect more than your capable of. I currently have the issue at work of my bosses boss giving me work to do because they worked out lm better at it than my boss.... My cover has been foiled, bugger.

[@peanutbutter9345]

Like I know that I dont know about myself and its always a challenge when people ask me such questions like those at the start of the vid. It may seem like I dont want to talk about certain things with people, but I actually just dont know about myself enough to answer honestly

[@irvingchies1626]

My anxiety-driven hyperawareness helps me let myself know what my reach is and I usually only slightly underestimate myself but not by much

[@sdfkjgh]

God: I have created Man! Angels: You've ruined a perfectly good Ape, is what you did! Look at it, it's got anxiety and cognitive biases!

[@spindash64]

sdfkjgh Aka, if The Divine Comedy were an actual comedy about god and not simply a story with a happy ending about a guy traveling thru hell, purgatory, and heaven

[@photondance]

Humans are animals.

[@cob571]

@@photondance Psh, maybe you are, bud. I'm only an animal in bed.

[@sophieszobonya3175]

@@cob571 r/ihavesex

[@TheRogueWolf]

What is a man? A miserable pile of secrets! But enough talk, have at you!

[@nymiancomplex7336]

Hey! Jokes on you, I have low self esteem so I already think I'm terrible at everything and don't know anything about myself 😂

[@whycantiremainanonymous8091]

There's lots of potential for methodological issues in research on this topic. Here are just two: 1. Questions about one's abilities are very likely not to be answered honestly. 2. Many abilities are not easy to assess; "objective" tests often give the illusion that you are assessing an ability, but often only assess one's performance on that particular test. Unfortunately, psychologists are often quite blind to this issue (you can call this bias many names: measurement bias, blindspot bias, even the Dunning-Krueger effect) and simply take their test results to reflect the objective truth of their choice. A good study design can reduce the effect of both these factors (e.g., if one is asked to predict one's performance on a particular test, while stressing the test results do not reflect anything beyond just the results of this particular test), but if I understood anything from reading papers in this field, is that good study designs are few and far between (though sub-fields vary a lot on this parameter). Also, being able to assess my future performance in some test and knowing myself are two *vastly* different things. Knowing myself means knowing my feelings, behaviours, responses to stress, ability (or lack thereof) to help a friend in need, my body's response to various environmental factors, and lots of other stuff. Assessing my own test performance comes very late and low on that list. In short, your title for the video is very misleading.

[@ElenaKomleva]

What kind of "logic training session" is that (3:27)? I want to get trained in it too!

[@westham5370]

Buy logic books

[@suki5048]

A reason why highly skilled people underestimate their skill/knowledge may be due to the fact that they know enough about something to realise that there is soo much more to know about it and they need to learn.. And hence their skill seems inadequate to them

[@AstraIVagabond]

*Psychology communicators:* [Talk about the Dunning-Kruger effect] *Everyone with major self-esteem issues from depression, GAD and related mental illnesses:* Allow us to introduce ourselves.

[@braincraft]

Hey Vanessa, you come here often? I’m, uh, *really* trying to get to know myself. It was so fun filming with you guys! Please check out my channel for my video with Hank 🤓🧠

[@EmmaDilemma039]

I'm immune to this effect. I'm already bad at everything and I know it XD

[@somedragontoslay2579]

Normally, that's another typical bias that people with depression have. And it's also false. If you actually think this, you could benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy as it teaches you how to think more clearly about your actual reach of skills.

[@voice-less]

@@somedragontoslay2579 unless u are actually bad at everything, stating it's false is a biased statement, maybe this is also a dunning kruger effect situation i know a person, that was paralyzed from birth, and because of many things, he didn't get an education, he was a shut down his entire basically, he didn't develop any skills of mind that would overthrow his handicap, so he thinks that he is bad at everything, which by understanding what he means by everything, since that is a subjective matter, u could say he is bad at everything, but he has gone through self acceptance and he has people who help him so he is doing fine, but his still think he is bad at everything, this doesn't mean he is depressed, this doesn't mean he is wrong, he is old, his ability to learn new things has gotten much much weaker, so he can't just go and learn new things like the young can this is just an example, and the dude who commented first clearly doesn't think that way, but just wanted to mention that being bad at everything is possible, even tho the word ''everything'' means different things for different people in different situations and conversations

[@somedragontoslay2579]

@@voice-less Mmh... I get what you're saying. However, I would ask whether he is actually bad at EVERYTHING since, from what you pointed out, I would assume he's good at listening, self awareness and being friendly so people still want to help and be around him. However, most times, thinking you're bad at everything can be a self contradiction since some virtues, abilities and defects are contradictory to another. In regards to the definition of everything. Indeed, people tend to use many words in different senses, but I'd argue that modifying that particular word is one of the most dangerous things one can do, since most times, we are not aware of what do we mean by everything and tend to treat that word like it having its canonical meaning, I.e.: every single possible instance, context and situation. If I asked you to clarify what do you mean by "everything", then you would become aware of the scope of your statement, but in most conversations where your words are casually thrown without too much thought, you can easily be stating to others and yourself that there are no exceptions to that pattern and feel like so.

[@Kyrious]

My answer to both beginning questions are absolutely right. No And I can’t drive

[@domomitsune5920]

I do know myself pretty well. I know my self awareness level too well. It's not like I haven't been told this my whole entire life by others. It's not a lack of confidence, it's a fact. I know I am less skilled and am less smart then I believe I am! I also typically underestimate my potential and skill. It's like knowing you're clumsy and not being given the task of carrying something fragile . I think it is better to under rate yourself and be surprised then to be overconfident and be wrong. Knowing one's absolute limit is crucial to avoid catastrophic failure and embarrassment.

[@Jake12220]

It's also easier to make a good impression on others if you give the impression that your less skilled than you are. People will generally be happy when you do something better than they expected of you, but won't care if they always thought you should be able to do it.

[@NotHPotter]

Is the Dunning-Kruger effect ubiquitous enough that we can just shorthand it to DKe yet?

[@j2dragon109]

The what now?

[@captainzork6109]

Michael Wade That’s like saying Intelligence Quotient test can be abbreviated to IQt. I’d rather call the Dunner-Krüger effect the DK effect. Anyway, I suggest just using APA format

[@nhilz]

@@captainzork6109 The DK effect is clearly when you think ur a gorilla who wears a big red tie

[@tropicalalien7280]

"You probably think you know yourself pretty well" Lol, man, I WISH I did.

[@Kiwikick238]

I always underestimate myself so I’m pleasantly surprised

[@catalinaplaza7909]

Sometimes I think I'm a fairly smart person, and that makes me fear that I'm actually an idiot.

[@tylermacdonald8924]

Nietzche new this decades before a scientific inquiry was even conceptualized. "We are unknown to ourselves." - Freidrich Nietzche (The Geneolalogy of morals)

[@FMHikari]

I always judge myself in third person. The good part is you can judge yourself better, the bad part is that you're your own research subject and therefore subject to mistreatment of your own part.

[@Krebzonide]

I notice that if I do something mildly above average there will sometimes be people who don't understand the task and compliment me on being so good, when in reality they are just bad, but of course I can't tell them how bad they are cuz that would be rude.

[@Jake12220]

That sounds like me at work in regards to anything electronic... I'm just shocked how bad many people are at some things. Like five minutes on Google and they should have been able to do the same, but nope apparently that's too much for them so they are impressed by things l would expect most ten year olds should be capable of.

[@frikativos]

I teach Spanish as a foreign language. Once, in an oral exam, one of the worst students I have ever had did terrible (as usual), and he asked me while smiling and very excited: "how did I do? I did great, right? " He was such a nice guy. I didn't know how to tell him he didn't.

[@coryobrien8154]

Usually... when someone online asks if your "generous." It means something completely different

[@_DiJiT]

The fact that hindsight is 20/20 tells me this lol

[@sdfkjgh]

Aoeui: Even hindsight isn't perfect, which is why I always say "Hindsight 20/30."

[@Jake12220]

Yep we always distort of view of the past. In general people remember the past as being far better than it was, which is why old people love talking about the good old days as they don't remember most of the bad stuff.

[@BenjaminCronce]

I became grossly aware of meta-cognition around the age of 3. I had horrifically lucid night terrors. I got so angry about nightmares being all in my head that I became obsessed with controlling my thinking. I'm not entirely sure when it switched over, but I haven't had a nightmare since around 5. I've reached a point in life where the "meta" me is what I consider me rather than the one doing the thinking. Although I now get anxiety from simple things like just getting a light buzz from drinking because my thinking changes and "I" don't know what to do when the other me thinks differently than normal.

[@rock3tcatU233]

Wow, you just described me.

[@Blankult]

I think i overthink things too much, so i might know myself better than i think i do, or less, idk.

[@zEropoint68]

joke's on you, pal. my answer to all those questions is "how should i know?" intelligence is knowing how to fail. wisdom is learning how to fail better.

[@robezy0]

Every video about cognitive biases is great. How about covering "rosy retrospection" sometime :D

[@eveschaan]

When asked how good I am at something, I usually get out with an, "I don't know."

[@johnshepherd4299]

Everything I do I presume I will fail. Usually turns out pretty good and spares me the disappointment of it not working.

[@metametodo]

Metacognitive skills. Loved this new terminology.

[@MusiCaninesTheMusicalDogs]

Pfft... I won't even watch this video because I already know everything! 😅

[@regular-joe]

Also, the people who are perhaps a bit brighter may be judging themselves against what they know could have been a better outcome instead of whether they performed satisfactorily, and so see their skills as less than what they could be.

[@naturaspiritus9592]

Please do a video on how to practice meta cognition

[@EveloGrave]

I always assume I am significantly worse at everything than I actually am.

[@p.boscardin]

Must show this to a friend of mine

[@jacobrodrig8]

This kind of stuff always seemed so obvious to me, if you can't admit when you've failed or that someone is better how can you ever learn. Being confidant is important, but assuming you're wrong prepares you just incase.

[@Seasonal-Shadow_4674]

Ouch that’s sad and depressing

[@zep1021]

How is this sad and depressing? It's just a matter of being more self-aware about our own cognitive bias, lol.

[@Seasonal-Shadow_4674]

Isaac N. But we can’t change that

[@zep1021]

@@Seasonal-Shadow_4674 Kinda agree. It's like how we forget around 70 percent of the information we're presented with by the end of the day.

[@Seasonal-Shadow_4674]

Isaac N. Yeah because that’s how the matrix or the solipsists developed our damned brains

[@Seasonal-Shadow_4674]

Isaac N. And it’s sad only a KZbin video is reporting on it

[@finspin8577]

I realised this this year by myself. I watch a lot of psych videos and I figured it out.

[@HojozVideos]

I'm very confident that I don't know every little thing about myself, so this comes as no surprise

[@zemorph42]

My generosity is sporadic and inconsistent and I should not be allowed behind the wheel of a motor vehicle in traffic. How's that for self-awareness?

[@Phie_Mc]

Yay Vanessa! I love Braincraft!

[@GeorgeNoiseless]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how great we are at KZbin comments? So amazing.

[@kenpanderz672]

meta-cognition is the new meta. everyone needs to learn this so they can utilize the best strats

[@Larixlaricina]

This makes me think of the scene in the Neverending Story where Atreyu has to pass through the Mirror Gate and confront his true self. Engywook says of the Mirror Gate that "kind people find out that they are cruel. Brave men discover that they are really cowards! Confronted with their true selves, most men run away, screaming! "

[@bugjams]

How do you get better at knowing yourself? Hank: Get *w o k e*

[@mikitz]

Intelligence helps achieve wisdom, and wisdom helps us assess our own capabilities and (dis)advantages better, which itself helps us develop better metacognition and be more realistic about ourselves and everything around us. Poor or nonexistent introspection and mental immaturity makes this very hard even for the otherwise intelligent people.

[@AisforAtheist]

The entire video I was thinking of American Idol auditions.

[@Cryinginthecloudssss]

I remember in middle school our whole gym class did free throughs agents the other gym class. I remember beating 3 of the basketball players and felt like a beast.

[@JonnyBeloney]

yes and doctors get mad at me when I don't know so I have to guess an answer to their questions

[@alexwixom4599]

Brain Craft rocks!

[@alannabanana6255]

What does it mean if I'm constantly doubting myself and putting myself down? Am I truly incompetent? I don't know :/

[@Mad_S]

After watching many videos makes me feel left out, how come researchers never ask me any questions? I wanna help too!

[@jaives]

Since I actually teach a rudimentary version of the Dunning-Kruger Effect in my business classes, I'd like to think that I have a heightened level of self-awareness. I don't eagerly score myself a 10 in any skill anymore and I'm more critical of my weaknesses.

[@hoang.allen1]

Especially he who thinks he's a stable genius.

[@spindash64]

I know my name, my age, a few other people’s names, my past, and that’s about it. So I really don’t like it when people ask me questions about my self, because I can’t help them

[@queefnugget2000]

We need to give this test in schools because people are seriously out of touch with themselves.

[@AuntBibby]

What if i'm very skilled at self-analysis?

[@metametodo]

You may analyse well that you still have a lot of problems to solve in your analysis, in your mind. Sometimes there's never an end goal, only learning you can get better, or learning that It's not worth the effort to improve more, or just conclude that your condition as human is limited and there will always be problems with you.

[@eltiospike7672]

That is what you want to believe

[@saisantoshyakkali2498]

There's a graph to summarize this phenomenon. Very accurate I believe 😂😂

[@danielchacon752]

Well, thanks for reinforcing my impostor syndrome

[@chandrakantsharda3525]

More important question is how you avoid reflection in your glasses.

[@BRUXXUS]

So... those that believe they're better than they are are those that don't *think* as much in general. This seems to make quite a lot of sense. 😐

[@nikolazlatanovic7999]

Be unable to recognize expertise. That's main trait.

[@OfNoImport]

Time for my semi-regular dose of self hatred justification

[@pollytheparrot46]

I used to think I knew everything there was to know about the Dunning-Kruger Effect.... Then I watched this video.

[@TheFox517]

On a second thought, maybe those brains weren't such a good idea.

[@ufosrus]

That explans the incompetence of bureaucrats.

[@carrieamoreno]

the more you know, the more you realize you don't know

[@herahagstoz6934]

What is the relationship with narcissistic tendencies and empathy? Over confident people usually are jerks. People who tend to underestimate themselves tend to be sensitive and concerned with others judging them.

[@burngrace5205]

Dang why u gotta call me out like that

[@jorge62142]

Prain Grafit!!!! I love that!

[@kerplunk9434]

You just have to talk to most people for a few minutes to see how much they are lacking in self awareness. People live in a fantasy world about how talented they are, how well-liked they are and how wonderful their life is. They will go to great lengths to ignore all incoming information that shows them things aren't as rosey as they want to believe. Conversely the same thing happens for overly negative people as well.

[@eb9908]

I can accurately assess my driving skills. My driving stills are terrible because I do not have a license nor do I have an a clue about which one is the go pedal board the stop pedal.

[@WhiskersMctabby]

This is why it's important to teach kids how to think critically. Everyone knows that whiny four year old who likes to remind you that he's faster and stronger then all his colleagues. We're just supposed to take his word for it and unfortunately, he grows up and he's generally most people. The cringe element is strong with these psychological facts.

[@ericluo4900]

Google knows me better than I do and I acknowledge that

[@梨-i5l]

Me and my depressive realism: *uno reverse card*

[@elisebalk]

Q? What groups of people did they interview for these studies? Americans? People of the "western" hemisphere? The Northern Hemisphere? Or groups from many different countries & cultures all over the world? I'm very aware of my lack of skills, and how much better others are then me at the same 'job'. I try to use this awareness to learn from others, and become, even if only for a moment, a little bit better.

[@KC-ie2hl]

Sounds about right, until you throw depression and/or anxiety in there 😅 Probably a lot of underestimaters in that group.

[@laurenconrad1799]

My confident answer to if I’m a good driver or not? I’m confident that I’m a terrible driver! That’s why I take public transportation. Lol.

[@pocok5000]

Yes I do.

[@NewMessage]

I'd totally say something like that.