The Dunning-Kruger Effect - Why can we not perceive our own abilities?

Summary

This article by The Decision Lab explains the Dunning-Kruger Effect, which occurs when a person’s lack of knowledge and skills in a certain area causes them to overestimate their own competence. By contrast, this effect also causes those who excel in a given area to think the task is simple for everyone, and underestimate their relative abilities as well. The article covers the following topics:

• Where this bias occurs
• Individual effects
• Systemic effects
• Why it happens
• Why it is important
• How to avoid it
• How it all started

It also includes two real-world examples of the Dunning-Kruger Effect.