The Lake Wobegon effect is a cognitive bias wherein individuals overestimate their own capabilities, believing they are above average in various domains such as intelligence, skills, or knowledge. This name is derived from the fictional town of Lake Wobegon, created by Garrison Keillor, where 'all the children are above average'.
This bias occurs when individuals assess themselves based on subjective criteria, often applying favorable benchmarks or dismissing others' abilities. It is rooted in self-enhancement, where people maintain a positive self-view by filtering information in ways that align with their self-perception. Often, limited information and personal biases lead to skewed self-assessments.
Unskilled and unaware of it: How difficulties in recognizing one's own incompetence lead to inflated self-assessments
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