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Listen to an Academic Talk Test #026
Listen to an Academic Talk
1. What is the main topic of the talk?
A) The research methods of two psychologists
B) A cognitive bias related to self-assessment
C) Why high-performing individuals lack confidence
D) How to improve skills in grammar and logic
2. According to the professor, what did the 1999 study find about low-performing participants?
A) They were unable to complete the tasks.
B) They accurately judged their own skills.
C) They believed they performed much better than they did.
D) They thought the tasks were too difficult.
3. What can be inferred about someone who is certain they are an expert driver but often makes mistakes?
A) They are likely a high performer in other areas.
B) They might be experiencing the Dunning-Kruger effect.
C) They probably did not participate in the study.
D) They assume driving is easy for everyone.
4. Why does the professor mention the 62nd and 12th percentiles?
A) To suggest the study results were confusing
B) To give an example of underestimation
C) To question the accuracy of the research
D) To illustrate the degree of overestimation
Professor: Let's talk about a fascinating cognitive bias known as the Dunning-Kruger effect. In essence, it describes a situation where people with low ability at a task overestimate their ability. It's a case of incompetence leading to the inability to recognize one's own incompetence.
In their original 1999 study, psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger tested participants on humor, grammar, and logic. They found that participants who scored in the bottom quartile—the lowest 25 percent—significantly overestimated their own performance. For example, on average, they believed their scores would be around the 62nd percentile, while their actual scores were closer to the 12th.
Interestingly, the study also showed that top performers tended to slightly underestimate their own abilities. This happens because they mistakenly assume that tasks they find easy are also easy for others. So, this bias cuts both ways, affecting both low and high performers, but in opposite directions.
In their original 1999 study, psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger tested participants on humor, grammar, and logic. They found that participants who scored in the bottom quartile—the lowest 25 percent—significantly overestimated their own performance. For example, on average, they believed their scores would be around the 62nd percentile, while their actual scores were closer to the 12th.
Interestingly, the study also showed that top performers tended to slightly underestimate their own abilities. This happens because they mistakenly assume that tasks they find easy are also easy for others. So, this bias cuts both ways, affecting both low and high performers, but in opposite directions.
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