3 ms·
The Dunning-Kruger effect would apply just as much to a specialist as it would a generalist. No matter how specialized one gets, there’s always the possible cog
by gdubs 7y ago
The Dunning-Kruger effect would apply just as much to a specialist as it would a generalist. No matter how specialized one gets, there’s always the possible cognitive bias that they think they know more than they do. There’s also the risk of tunnel vision and compartmentalization, where the specialist, unaware of of relevant information existing in some other silo continues to try to fit round pegs into square holes.
- Snoozle 7y agoYou could even argue that the Dunning-Kruger effect applies MORE to specialists than generalists, as generalists are already approaching problems as if they don't have as much experience as a specialist and are more likely to research and learn as part of the problem solving process instead of assume that they are already experts at this and make a mistake.
- gdubs 7y agoSo true. It’s the feeling of, “the more I learn the more I realize I don’t know.”
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- subjectHarold 7y agoThe hedgehog and fox. Specialist knowledge is definitely valuable but it isn't everything. And as the OP says: it depends on what domain. If we are talking about decision-making/leadership: that is the last place you want a specialist imo. Tech is particularly vulnerable to this problem where the culture is often to promote the person who is most able at everything that isn't related to running a business. More broadly, I think Plato's idea of the "philosopher king" is wrong. The issue is that specialists rarely, if ever in my experience, understand nuance or the limitations of what they know. Again, the last place you want this kind of person is politics.