Lesson 1: Dunning-Kruger effect

Have you ever met someone who confidently speaks on a topic they clearly don’t understand? Or perhaps you've hesitated to share your thoughts, doubting your own expertise despite knowing more than you think? This is the Dunning-Kruger effect in action—a cognitive bias where people with low ability overestimate their competence, while those with high ability tend to underestimate theirs.

This phenomenon highlights a significant gap in self-awareness, affecting decision-making, learning, and personal growth. In this lesson, we’ll explore why this effect happens, how it influences our daily lives, and what we can do to cultivate more accurate self-perception. Understanding the Dunning-Kruger effect is a crucial step toward intellectual humility and lifelong learning.