Why Ignorance Fails to Recognize Itself

Professor David Dunning

May 3, 2022 at 7:30 P.M. at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-lrc

Abstract

One simple truth about human life is that we are all flawed intellects. Our knowledge contains gaps and defects. So, how can we accurately judge expertise in ourselves and others when we act from an imperfect knowledge base? I discuss how flawed knowledge leads people to misjudge themselves, often making them miss their own incompetence (the so-called Dunning-Kruger effect) and to misjudge others by failing to spot top-shelf expertise (the Conan Doyle problem). I discuss the implications of these issues for individuals as well as society at large, and talk about approaches in education to address them.

Speaker

David Dunning is Professor at the University of Michigan and a social psychologist focusing primarily on the psychology underlying human misbelief.  His most cited work shows that people hold flattering opinions of their character and competence that cannot be justified from objective evidence, work supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Templeton Foundation. An author of over 150 journal articles, book chapters, and general interest pieces, he is half of the team responsible for describing the infamous Dunning-Kruger effect. In 2016 he was awarded the Distinguished Lifetime Career Award from the International Society for Self and Identity, and has been a fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences. He holds a BA from Michigan State University and a PhD from Stanford University, both in psychology.

short link: https://go.nasa.gov/3p10cBP

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