Why do some people think better at certain things but in reality are not?

Most of us recognize that some things are good and less good in others, but many, their abilities and their limitations especially not as obvious for some as for those around them. Why are people less good at certain things very self-confident?

Studies suggest that it is not necessarily a matter of intelligence, but of competence, the ability to do something well.

In 1999, David Dunning and Justin Kruger researchers tested a group of students from several samples: the ability to think logically, to write correctly and identify funny jokes. They have asked the students and assess their skills.

The two researchers have noticed something strange. People who score lower than the average not only did not have the necessary powers, but neither knew they lack. Moreover, as they were less competent, the thought was better prepared. This is called illusory superiority.

This is a cognitive bias. People tend to assess their own abilities as above average. Numerous studies have demonstrated this phenomenon in various fields. From fired his gun at the debate does not seem to matter what apritudine it, the more a person knows less the more prone to overestimate their knowledge.

Philosophers have contemplated this idea through the ages. "The problem is that our world fools are confident while intelligent people are full of doubts" British philosopher Bertrand Russell pointed out.
However, even people who have certain skills are prone to underestimate. Researchers believe that this modesty comes from the fact that competent people are more aware of how much they do not know and also an overview of the field, allowing them to observe their own limitations.
All things related to meta-cognition, the ability to be aware and understand their own thinking process. In other words, is the ability to think about the way you think.
Dunning and Kruger argue that people do not consistently assess their skills by building a series of misconceptions, such as "I'm a very good driver" or "very funny" and use that conviction to further assess their skills.

Source: Howstuffworks

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