Dictionary

Dunning-Kruger effect en · NOUN

Etymology

Dunning + Kruger + effect. Coined on everything2 in 2002 by user uucp, who in 2005 copied the same entry to Wikipedia under the title Dunning-Kruger syndrome, named for David Dunning and Justin Kruger of Cornell University, who studied the phenomenon.

Meanings

1. A cognitive bias where an individual with limited knowledge or competence in a specific domain tends to greatly overestimate their own ability relative to objective criteria or the performance of others.
   • [Prince] Andrew, unfortunately, exhibited classic symptoms of what is scientifically recognised as the Dunning-Kruger effect, the cognitive bias in which people come to believe that they are smarter and more capable than they really are. The combination of minimal self-awareness and dim wattage leads sufferers of this condition to overestimate their own capabilities. 2022, Tina Brown, The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor—the Truth and the Turmoil, Crown, →ISBN:
   • Though it grants them the advantage of higher levels of optimism, the Dunning-Kruger effect also hamstrings low performers with an even greater disadvantage: being less aware of their failings, they remain less likely to see the need, and thus make the effort, to improve themselves. 2012, Alex Lickerman, The Undefeated Mind, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN:

Forms

Deriveds

Dunning-Krugerrand

Relateds

a little knowledge is a dangerous thing · Downing effect · Lake Wobegon effect

Synonyms

Dunning-Kruger bias · DKE · Dunning-Kruger

wikipedia: en:Dunning-Kruger effect · wikipedia: David Dunning · wikipedia: everything2 · wikipedia: Justin Kruger