The Dunning-Kruger Effect - YLM Sport Science

The Dunning - Kruger Effect is characterized as, ‘a cognitive bias in which poor performers greatly overestimate their abilities’ (He, New York Times). While this theory or effect can cause a comical reaction, the idea that after a short learning experience, a person has a true understanding of a concept or situation is something that we see consistently reflected in our peers, and maybe even ourselves.

Explore the video below to better understand the effect:

Moving through the graphic of the Dunning - Kruger Effect, we see that the immediate result is the ‘Peak of Ignorance’ which provides the idea that the learner is now an expert. The next section, which typically follows immediately, the ‘Valley of Humility’, brings the learner to the realization that their understanding is not a level of expertise. As the learner continues to learn, communicate, and grow from their learning, their knowledge of the topic or content will continue to progress. Unfortunately, we do see the drop off of the learning implementation at times.

While examining this effect, I wonder how this process looks when the topic or content is one that I am not able to put myself in completely. For example, I am unable to 100% understand the world viewpoint of a person with a disability if I do not have and experience that same disability. As a Special Educator and Administrator, I am constantly surrounded by those who are experiencing a variety of different disabilities. I plan for them, I create an environment for them, I adapt public education for them, but I cannot 100% understand their experiences. So, how do I grow in understanding the grammar of their experiences in life and education if I am not able to place myself in their exact shoes.

The article below, The Disempowering Experience of Flying as a Disabled Person, from Rebekah Taussig, provides the experience of the author during a task of traveling through the airport and plane.

*Insert link. https://time.com/6111731/flying-disabled/

The author, Taussig, provides the reader with the ability to imagine the experience that she has had during her time trying to complete a typical task of traveling through the airport. I appreciate the visual imaging she provides, the feelings she experienced, and the level of preparation and concern she brings to the task. However, I will still not fully understand her experience. The level of learning that I can do to be able to relate to the meaning of this language for a person with a disability is to expose, observe, and listen to a person who is having those experiences.

In regards to the Functions of Meaning, the breakdown can be a functional tool to support the learner to better recognize the understanding of their grammar. For this particular example, the reference is about the experiences of those with disabilities in everyday tasks …

Pause for thought: There is an inability to fully understand the grammar meaning of a certain person or group of people; however the consistent exposure, observation, willingness to listen, and participation in additional learning opportunities.

References:

Taussig, R. (2021, November 1). The Disempowering Experience of Flying as a Disabled Person. Time. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://time.com/6111731/flying-disabled/

*The Learning Network. (2021, April 12). The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Why Incompetence Begets Confidence. The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/learning/the-dunning-kruger-effect-why-incompetence-begets-confidence.html

*@YLMSportScience. (2017, April 24). The Dunning - Kruger Effect [Visual Graphic]. YLMSPORTSCIENCE TO DISCOVER WHAT IS NEW IN SPORT SCIENCES. https://ylmsportscience.com/2017/04/24/the-dunning-kruger-effect-how-difficulties-in-recognizing-ones-own-incompetence-lead-to-inflated-self-assessments/