Psychology: Cause and effects

Better than average at driving? Yep, something like 80% of us are.

Print Share

29th September, 2012

This is a story of three “ effects”. Apparently, ignorance is bliss. If we imagine ourselves travelling ignorantly (but blissfully) through life, there will be times when our ignorance stops us getting things right and we’ll, um, get things wrong. But worse than that, according to researchers David Dunning and Justin Kruger, we are doubly cursed by our ignorance. Our incompetence means we deal poorly with tasks life sets before us, and because of our incompetence, we’re not even in a good position to recognise we’re incompetent. In proposing what has come to be called the Dunning-Kruger ...

Get full access to Listener.co.nz

Subscribers can read the full version of this story.

You can subscribe and get full online access for as little as $5 per week.

Enjoy the high-quality, in-depth journalism of the Listener magazine with convenient online access. This includes access to thousands of archived articles and up-to-date TV and entertainment listings.

Our great content is available online even before it hits the shelves, and includes more focus on breaking news. With our responsive design you get a great reader experience whether you read from your home computer, tablet, or even smartphone.

Already a subscriber? Just login to read full version of this story.

Already an existing print subscriber? As part of your magazine subscription you are entitled to receive full access to the New Zealand Listener Online content. Click here for instructions on how to redeem your digital access.

Or you can subscribe now to get unlimited access to listener.co.nz.