We have always experienced phenomena in life where we have overestimated our abilities. An ideal example of the Dunning-Kruger effect is a circumstance that people perhaps have experienced at the dinner table where a member or a relative out of the topic proclaims that their opinions are valid and how others’ claims remain stupid. All of us once come across a sort of person who brags and exaggerates his capabilities and proves how useless we are. It may be very evident that the person bragging has no idea of what they're talking about as they are oblivious to thoughts and ignorance.

In the effect of Dunning Kruger, it is explained as a cognitive bias where people believe that they are more capable and smarter than they are. More importantly, people with low ability do not have the understanding and skills required to identify their incompetence. The low cognitive skills and lack of self-awareness lead to overestimation of abilities.

This effect was named after researchers Justin Kruger and David Dunning. These two psychologists were the first who described this phenomenon in detail. They conducted four investigations in their study of this psychological phenomenon.

In the research, they established that the low performers failed to identify the competence and skills of other people which is one of the reasons why they consistently believe that they are better more knowledgeable, and more capable than others.

In one of the studies, it was observed that women and men performed equally well in a science quiz and yet the former believed that they possess fewer scientific reasoning skills than men. It was also observed that the women who participated, were more likely to disagree to enter the competition in science due to this prejudice.

So, what leads to this psychological behavior? Is it because some people are dense to identify it? Kruger and Dunning advised that this phenomenon roots in what day named a “dual burden”. People not only believe to be incompetent but this incompetence affects their ability to understand their mental strength and realize how unskillful they are.

To know the reasons that attributes to this effect, check LogiQminds today.