Yesterday (Feb 4), my database Professor mentions about the "Dunning-Kruger Effect" early on in our first day. He mentioned that it is a recurring issue for developers because of how "People with limited expertise in an area tend to overestimate how much they know—and we all have gaps in our expertise" (https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/news-events/all-news/faculty-news/the-dunning-kruger-effect-shows-that-people-don-t-know-what-they.html).
While it is an issue, we as developers also have "Imposter Syndrome" at some point in our lives (Including me) where we think that we are not good enough even though clear evidence shows otherwise.
Having a mixture between the two is dangerous to one's mindset because how do we know if we are truly smart? In other words, how can we know ourselves that we are not as smart as we think as well as knowing how we know we are good enough? Everyone having different mindset and having both the "Dunning-Kruger Effect" and "Imposter Syndrome" is like someone gaslighting you in a weird way.
Dunning-Kruger Effect and Imposter Syndrome Deep Dive
I read and replied to @richardpascoe on "The Internet’s Addiction to Being Contrary" about the environment of inclusively when it comes to debates and feedback. This is important because it does reduces the impostor syndrome based on factual evidence from others that you are good enough and that you know a lot, even though you tell yourself that you don't.
The "Dunning-Kruger Effect" takes that away because there is a distinction between what is seen from others and what is factual. For example, one can say that you are doing a great job in Python and that you are an expert at it. But in reality, you are only a beginner to the job market's eyes and that the requirement of knowledge to know python is no where near to where you actually needed to be.
This shows the distinction between how society sees you Versus reality. Of course, you can use both to your advantage when it comes to motivation from others and knowing that you have a lot to learn. But the whole point of this is that it is dangerous for those who do not have that mindset. I have seen individuals who have low self-esteem and always telling themselves they are not good enough. Not only that, I seen others who came as egotistic that they are an expert at this language/technology, but in reality they do not.
Can you Overcome Both?
This is tricky to put into words. The reason is that the "Dunning-Kruger Effect" tells you that "A person thinks they know a lot, but they don't", which can result in comparing yourself to others, which is also not good. Additionally to comparing yourself, you need to know if you are well-knowledgeable into the field of expertise. It feels like one needs to have the Avengers of Humanity to judge you truly. It is possible to overcome the "Dunning-Kruger Effect" and the "Imposter Syndrome". However, you cannot attack both at the same time since it overlaps with each other and is quite difficult to imagine in my opinion. One of the ways for me that helps is self-reflection (Anything I want to improve on) and self-motivation that I can reach the goal. Although this is a simple advice to myself, there are variables that can disrupt it.
That's all I have for today! I just want to say that everyone here is welcomed and no matter where you are at, you are good enough. Although it seems like an endless run, you will reach your goals eventually and you will be proud of the progress you have made!
Discussion (Need answers)
Riddle me this Dev.to Community, when you have the Dunning-Kruger Effect and Imposter Syndrome, how can we know ourselves that we are truly knowledgeable and know that we are were we needed to be? I would love to hear from you and your thoughts about this topic!
Please share with someone that is a developer, especially newcomers into the Dev field. I believe it is an important discussion to talk about and knowing how to succeed into this field of rapid change.
Top comments (6)
Intriguing post, Francis. I felt a real pang of recognition reading this, especially the way you described the tension between Dunning-Kruger and imposter syndrome. It honestly mirrors my own inner dialogue at times: moments of doubt, followed by moments where I realize I may have been overestimating myself earlier. It’s oddly reassuring to see that written out so clearly.
As for your question at the end, the way I’ve started to reconcile the two is by treating them for what they are: moments. Moments of doubt, and moments of overconfidence, not permanent truths about who I am or where I stand.
When I stopped treating those thoughts as verdicts and started seeing them as temporary states, it got easier to keep moving without constantly judging myself in my head. Of course, there are days when I feel completely lost, and others where I feel like I can take on anything. But zooming out helps, I’m just one small part of a much bigger system, and my responsibility is simply to show up and do my best in the work in front of me, regardless of how the previous day went.
Thanks for opening up this conversation. I think a lot of developers feel this tension but rarely see it articulated this honestly.
Thanks Aryan! Yea having these irrational thoughts are a pain. It's a good idea to treat them as temporary states as you mentioned since it eventually goes away.
I'm glad that you took the time to reflect and share! Thanks for reading!
For me, it's Imposter Syndrome all the time.
Mostly for me as well. But after hearing about this effect, it makes me second guess about my ability and knowledge as a Dev. Thanks for reading btw!
Lol! It is not the case for most people. The imposter syndrome when you start a new job :)
I think for most, especially new Devs, that where Imposter Syndrome emerges. But yea, I do agree that Imposter Syndrome do take place on a new Job! Thanks for reading!