Why do some people behave as though they are experts in everything?

8/15/2018

6,749 views

by Chris Vargel via QUORA.COM

Society Story: Why do some people behave as though they are experts in everything?

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You probably think you’re about a 7 out of 10. You’re not alone.

Most people do.

It doesn’t matter whether that 7 signifies their looks or one of their abilities (like humility.)

73% of Americans think they’re better at driving than the average driver.

70% of students estimate their leadership-abilities to be above the median.

Their ability to get on well with others was rated even higher at 85%.

25% thought they were in the top 1%

It’s hard to admit that we lack ability. This can become especially prevalent concerning topics that are participated in by the general public. Only the most delusional would think that they can perform surgery better than a surgeon, yet a lot of people don’t hesitate to think they know best when it comes to topics such as nutrition, philosophy, driving a car or the real hot potato - politics.

No, Elon Musk probably shouldn’t take your advice on Twitter.

In 1983, David Dunning and Justin Krueger evaluated the test scores of students.

After the students where done with a test, they were asked how well they thought it went. Based on the test-results, they then divided the students into four groups:

The Bottom 25%
The lower-than-average 25–50%
The higher-than-average 50–75%
The Top 25%

So how did their estimated competence compare to the real thing?

The students in the bottom quartile greatly overrated their own abilities and subsequent results. The smarter the student, the weaker the effect became.

The top students even underestimated themselves.

These results are not one of a kind.

The ones being outperformed, wether those are students and their ability to think logically, hunters and their knowledge of firearms or medical students and their patient-interviewing skills, they all think they’re outperforming everybody else.

As a Personal Trainer, this is something I come across every day.

Everybody trains and eats so they conclude that they possess vast knowledge and expertise when it comes to exercise and nutrition.

Heck, I can remember when I did. (Thankfully, I didn’t post anything on social media back then, so my arrogance was mostly relegated to annoying my friends and family.)

I don’t know why the Dunning-Krueger effect exists.

I just know that it does.

It should function as a constant reminder that if you feel like you know something, you most probably don’t.

Because if you feel really smart or knowledgeable you’re probably not.

This information was taken from Quora. Click here to view the original post.

Do you know anyone who behaves like an expert in everything when in fact he or she knows little or nothing?

#Society #IQ #psychology #Quora

What are your thoughts on this subject?

44 Comments

vasily tchaikovsky

"better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt" A.Lincoln

Lydia Coutts

“The only thing I know is that I know nothing.” — Socrates If you have lack humility and think you know everything, you’re almost certainly pig-ignorant.

Alyson R Beard

There is always more to learn.

Tom Carnes

If you look at facts, then that should give you clarity? I would think?. For example, when I watch Jeopardy, I feel really dumb. Apparently Ken Jennings is very intelligent, on Jeopardy. But could he out perform a surgeon in the OR- NO. Training or studying is the key for anyone. A graduate from Harvard or MIT, are they smarter than an Astronaut? Depends on what they are trained in. Let’s take Einstein as an example, is he smarter than a Boeing 747 Pilot, flying a 747? NO. Most people have some expertise in some areas. And I think most people realize their own level of intelligence. Even though they might want others to think of their intelligence, a little higher.

Elsy O. Stromberg

Louis Michael Durocher,, Don't know how big your class was, but third is very good unless your class was very small. It should be expected you'd be successful.

Neville Thomas

Knowing is relative, some know more and some know less, but nobody knows everything, but knowledge is power.

Wayne Roberts

As a class 2 driving instructor I know only a few drivers are above average! I teach school bus drivers and average is not good enough!

Mike Hibner

I suspect that the writer, Chris Vargel, feels really smart...

Mike Hibner

vasily tchaikovsky, sorry, but this maxim predates Lincoln by several hundred years...

Don Markusic

Robert Snow, The problem is the people that know more than me are all Asian I can't understand them and I'll give them credit for being smart.

Don Markusic

Rita Andree, Wasn't that Richard Nixon that said that .

Don Markusic

Jacky Pierce Tell my kids the same thing to impress people step out of the room google the question come back with the answer .

Don Markusic

Diane Allain, If we are all good listeners who are we listening to?

Susan Lake-Harris

Wendy Clark, I had that same reaction! :) Homonyms trip so many of us up on occasion.

Caroline Weis

I knew someone, with just an eight grade education that figured he knew everything there was to know, but he's still learning stuff yet at the age of 72. I have a high school education and am still learning stuff also, but I'm pretty well read about some facts in this world and what I don't know I search the internet or go to the library to find out the answers.

jack patti go

Wow! Take thecwind out of my sail!! Lol

Louis Michael Durocher,

Lydia Coutts, you misquoted Socrate," I know that I know nothing,but one I do know is,that I know nothing very well""

Louis Michael Durocher,

I have always low-balled myself,why? To better myself...When you think ; I've got IT,chances are you may be off..I finished third in my graduation class,ok! The points were very close between first and myself...The moral here,it hasn't stop me to have a successful career.