The Dunning-Kruger Effect

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which individuals with low ability or limited knowledge in a certain area tend to overestimate their own competence, while those with higher expertise are often more aware of the complexity of the subject and may underestimate themselves. This effect highlights the mismatch between actual skill levels and self-perceived ability, showing that lack of awareness can lead to misplaced confidence. It plays an important role in everyday decision-making, education, and workplace dynamics, where overconfident but underqualified individuals may misjudge their performance and resist feedback.

Today I found several articles and an video, where this effect was also studied in relation to chess ratings. Here they are:

• People rate selves better than average, even faced with objective data to the contrary
• Overconfidence persists despite years of accurate, precise, public, and continuous feedback: Two studies of tournament chess players
• Dunning-Kruger Effect in Chess: A Guide to Self-Assessment

Additional Links:

• https://www.welt.de/gesundheit/article251254474/Selbstueberschaetzung-Warum-sie-nervt-und-dennoch-Erfolg-hat.html
• https://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/plus68c1761be94fcb47b9cd3bbe/Psychologie-Ueberschaetzte-Faehigkeiten-Viele-Menschen-wissen-schlicht-nicht-wie-viel-sie-nicht-wissen.html
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10626367/

The last word belongs to William Shakespeare (in "As You Like It"): „The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.“