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Psychological Phenomena

Worse-Than-Average Effect

Social Biases and Group Effects

The worse-than-average effect, also called the below-average effect, is the human tendency to underestimate one's own achievements and capabilities relative to other people.

Facts
Core ClaimSourced to the subject's own account
The worse-than-average effect, also called the below-average effect, is the tendency for people to underestimate their own achievements and capabilities relative to other people, typically for tasks perceived as rare or difficult, treated as a reversal of the more common better-than-average effect. 1
First Described Year
1991 2
The term "illusory superiority" was first used by the researchers Van Yperen and Buunk, in 1991. (w-bbfill-psychology6-0926)
Classification
Type of PhenomenonSourced to the subject's own account
Cognitive Phenomenon 1
Connections

In Branch

Source Wikipedia: Illusory superiority
Sources
1. Worse-Than-Average Effect (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia
  • Lead section, first sentence
    The worse-than-average effect or below-average effect is the human tendency to underestimate one's achievements and capabilities in relation to others.
  • lead section, phenomenon-kind classification
    The worse-than-average effect or below-average effect is the human tendency to underestimate one's achievements and capabilities in relation to others.
View the Source
2. Wikipedia: Illusory superiority
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Wikipedia article text
    The term "illusory superiority" was first used by the researchers Van Yperen and Buunk, in 1991.
  • In Branch: Cognitive Psychology, Categories
    Wikipedia article 'Illusory superiority' is filed under Category:Cognitive biases.
View the Source
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