Cognitive Bias: Impostor Syndrome and its Counterpart, the Dunning-Kruger Effect

Our beliefs direct our lives and cognitive bias is one of the ways we develop our beliefs. The two most extreme types of cognitive bias are impostor syndrome (Trauma Glossary 2) and the Dunning-Kruger Effect. Of course we don’t all live in one extreme or the other. But as we kick off this brand new series on our trauma matrix (as I like to call it) and ways we can free ourselves from its circuitry, it’s best to start with the most extreme beliefs so that we can gauge where we may fall into the gray areas. Consider this your foundation article for the upcoming weeks.

So, what’s so extreme about the Dunning Kruger Effect and Impostor Syndrome? Well first, check out the featured image. I’m being serious here because 1) I wish I had been the creator, but sadly, I am not and 2) what lies in the core of both extremes is competence vs. incompetence. One believes they are competent when in reality, they are not. The other believes they are incompetent, when in reality they are highly competent. See where I’m going here in our trauma matrix?

Both have beliefs that distort their self-image and therefore limit them from seeing the big picture. One lacks confidence while the other lacks humility. This lopsided self-image causes them to dismiss one type of feedback in lieu of the other. This is how they keep “confirming” and “reconfirming” both how they see themselves and how they relate with others.

Dunning-Kruger Effect

The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a cognitive bias in those who are overconfident in their knowledge and abilities. It is not at all uncommon for one with the Dunning-Kruger Effect to promote themselves as an “expert” in a specific area or task. That’s because they believe it. Any contradictions to their limited knowledge are often met with resistance because that contradiction is a threat to their self-worth.

90’s quackery is a great example of this. In those days, psychology had ONE standard treatment plan for all survivors of adverse childhood homes and the therapists were convinced it was the solution to all our problems. Suffice to say, they knew nothing. If their quack methods did not work, well it reflected on us, not them. They closed their minds to the unique hurts we endured as being raised by Cluster B disordered (Trauma Glossary 1) parents, all because they were too certain of the limited research of their time.

When we believe that we know all there is to know about something, we are simultaneously telling ourselves that there is nothing new to learn about it. So, the brain responds by rejecting the new information on autopilot. Everything from fresh perspectives to constructive criticism is dismissed as an unreliable source.

Impostor Syndrome

Impostor Syndrome is a cognitive bias in those who have chronic self-doubt. No matter what they do or what they learn, they believe that they are undeserving, unworthy, and not good enough. People with impostor syndrome put too much focus on what they lack and not enough appreciation of their accomplishments. That’s why they struggle with saying positive things about themselves. Like its namesake, it triggers the fear of being exposed as a fraud.

Since no one likes living inside a headspace that believes they are that fatally flawed, perfectionism becomes their tool of choice. It soothes the inner voice (inner critic Trauma Glossary 2) by helping them believe “I’m improving now, therefore, someday I will be deserving, worthy, and good enough.” And yet, that “someday” never comes. Not because they are incompetent – quite the contrary! It’s because they keep moving the goal posts on themselves.

When we believe that we are not enough, we stay vulnerable to insults and criticism while closing our minds to positive feedback. We create an inner rebuttal script, a list of excuses for why other people’s compliments and affirmations “don’t count.” Our brain responds by memorizing the lines and then using them so rapidly, that we forget the positive feedback ever happened.

How Cognitive Bias Impairs Personal Accountability

Did you know that there are two sides of personal accountability? Holding ourselves accountable for mistakes or poor behavior is one side (guilt and having a sense of shame). The other is when we hold ourselves accountable for our accomplishments and good deeds (in other words, pride and joy). The Dunning-Kruger Effect and impostor syndrome are examples of how we can master one side but neglect the other. This is how they both achieve an opposite but equally lopsided self-image.

Did you notice any other opposite commonalities? How about how they both disregard opposite types of feedback so that they stay stuck in their distorted self-image? This is crucial to how they “confirm” and “reconfirm” both how they see themselves and their place in the world. Obviously, no one wants to believe they are more competent than the reality. And no one wants to miss opportunities just because they believe they are less competent than they really are. So, how do we work with this?

Critical Thinking Challenges Cognitive Bias

Critical thinking is considering the facts from more than one perspective. It’s how we achieve a deeper understanding of what we learn so that we can evolve and grow. Here’s a list of basic principles we can use:

Challenge the “rebuttal script” when listening to others’ perspectives.

Take the time to stop and consider their feedback. Of course, there are exceptions. Insults or emotionally attacking language is not worth considering at all. However, when they offer their views in a calm, respectful manner, practice finding one thing in their argument that you can validate. This doesn’t mean you have to adopt their view as your new truth. It simply helps you practice new learning by considering the facts through other perspectives.

At the same time, compliments and positive feedback deserve equal consideration. Instead of reading from the usual “doesn’t count” script, counter it with “What if their feedback does matter? And if it does, what does that say about me?” This helps us practice seeing ourselves through a kinder lens. Over time, it challenges our self-doubt and improves our confidence and self-esteem.

Equal Parts Humility and Confidence is Key.

Another takeaway from the two types of cognitive bias is that the Dunning-Kruger Effect is over-confident and lacks humility. Impostor syndrome is overly humble and lacks confidence. As always, we should strive for the middle of the two extremes. But how do we do that if we’re struggling to believe in ourselves, or get so set in our ways that we have difficulty digesting new information? It starts with accepting two fundamental truths:

• No one is ever going to be right 100% of the time. This is all inclusive. I will not be right 100% of the time, nor will you or anyone else. The moment we fully accept this, we can stop ourselves from veering on the path of self-righteousness by taking the time to consider another perspective. (Humility) At the same time, by knowing that no one else will be right 100% of the time either, we can question and choose which information is worth our time and what is not. (Building confidence)
• We will never have all the answers. This includes the so-called “experts.” Personally, I’d like to overthrow that term. Too often, when we think of an expert, we assume that they know all there is to know and it tempts us into blindly following all they have to say without question. But when we do this, we run into the hazard of taking their information and using it to limit ourselves. Don’t forget that it’s okay to find both enriching information and a couple of points you disagree with from the exact same source. There is always something new to learn and research is constantly evolving. So, what appear to be “facts” today can easily be debunked tomorrow by a new study.