The Dunning–Kruger effect is a 🏷️#cognitive-bias in which individuals with low ability or experience in a specific domain tend to overestimate their competence, while those with higher expertise are often more modest or critical in assessing their skills. This effect, first described by psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger in 1999, highlights a paradox: the same lack of knowledge that leads to poor performance also impairs one’s ability to recognize those deficiencies. As a result, unskilled individuals may display unwarranted confidence, while experts—acutely aware of the complexities—are more likely to underestimate their proficiency. The Dunning–Kruger effect has been observed across various contexts, from academic performance to workplace decision-making, and it underscores the importance of metacognition—thinking about one’s own thinking—in accurate self-assessment.
