Why do fools think they are smart?

In 1999, Justin Kruger and David Dunning invented a new effect, which they named the “Dunning-Kruger effect”. This is a cognitive bias in which people with limited competence in a certain area overestimate their abilities. Research shows that people who are not experts in any field think that they understand and know a lot in this field. The most interesting thing is that this effect works both ways. A reverse consequence of the Dunning-Kruger effect: people who critically think their abilities are low have been observed to have higher abilities than they thought.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect – People who don’t know much about a subject don’t have the knowledge or skills to spot their mistakes or gaps in knowledge. They cannot see where they are going wrong and think they are doing well.

Conversely, people at the top of a given subject cannot perceive mastery. They don’t know that these areas of skill and knowledge are easy for them to acquire, while it is more difficult for others. According to the Dunning-Kruger effect, we accept information and advice from those who speak first and loudest before the words of a professional in their field.

To distinguish between an expert and a fool, it is necessary to pay attention to some aspects.

Signs of an expert:

1. He says that he does not know that he does not know

2. Speaks less

3. If you argue with them and they know you are ignorant, they will keep quiet

4. There will be imposter syndrome

Signs of an idiot:

1. They talk a lot

2. They speak loudly with confidence

3. When the discussion started, he attacked your personality, not the facts.

4. They mostly blame others and not themselves

Kimyo International University in Tashkent

“General medicine” 4rd stage student