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Dunning-Kruger
Daily Meditation 722–2/18/2024
The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a psychological “phenomenon” where someone in a role — any role, really — overestimates their ability and competence. Pretty much.
In many ways, it is the inverse of Impostor Syndrome, which we all seemingly experience at one point or another.
You’ve very likely seen the Dunning-Kruger Effect (DKE) at least once in your life.
You couldn’t beat the final boss in Banjo-Kazooie. Your cousin — a very skilled gamer about 5 years your senior — smugly snaps the N64 controller out of your sweating hands, saying with smarmy pride “Let me show ya how it’s done…” they do okay, but ultimately lose over and over, too, before thrusting the control back to you saying “It’s rigged. You must be missing a power up or something.”
Your coworker — that coworker — was picked for a promotion instead of you. They always know exactly how to suck up and showcase themselves, but are in actuality quite poor at their jobs. Now they’re one of the supervisors. Within the first week, they’ve displayed all their peacock plumes, but have made grave errors which have cost your department a customer…and it’s clear they’re in way, way over their heads as they’re hauled in the manager’s office (again).
