The Psychology of Incompetence

Have you ever wondered why incompetent people tend to over estimate their ability? People with little knowledge about particular subjects tend to, firstly, not recognize their lack of knowledge, and secondly, not be able to recognize expertise in others. Research by Dunning and Kruger found a remarkable link between incompetence and confidence. He also explores the Lake Wobegon effect, the phenomenon that people tend to overestimate their own abilities.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Dunning-Kruger effect
• Incompetence
• Psychology
• Lake Wobegon effect
• cognitive bias
• illusory superiority
• over estimate
• above average effect

[UnluckyGambler]

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." ~ Bertrand Russell

[TheraminTrees]

The end part regarding web design showed great honesty — and gave insight into the distorted nature of that whole 'how hard can it be?' reaction. Cheers, anotherlook! ;8)

[1x93cm]

i feel incompetent about 90% of the time.

probably because everybody else second guesses every fucking thing I do in my life whether its good or bad

[defect530]

i love these video's, please post more.

[windowsclassic]

Last two comments are obnoxious, but I think that's kind of ironic. 

[Basaltq]

@viperine1337 That's just hilarious, you provided a living example of the effect. But yes, they sound like douche bags. Someone should get cough drops for that guy on the right.

[viperine1337]

They sound like complete dimwits - especially the guy on the right - and the content is really something any 10-year-old would have thought of. Not impressed, sorry.

[MissPsychStudent]

So true, Dumb people always think they are smart. Annoying!