What cognitive phenomenon does Sato relate to the Dunning-Kruger effect?

The Dunning-Kruger effect specifically refers to a cognitive bias wherein individuals with lower ability or knowledge in a certain domain tend to overestimate their own skills. This phenomenon highlights a gap between actual competence and self-perception. Those who are less skilled often do not possess the metacognitive ability necessary to recognize their incompetence, leading them to believe they are more competent than they truly are.

This effect illustrates an important aspect of cognitive psychology: that self-assessment is often flawed and can distort reality, preventing individuals from accurately evaluating their knowledge or abilities. This misjudgment can result in overconfidence, which can be detrimental in various contexts, such as education or professional settings, as it can hinder individuals from seeking improvement or further learning.

In contrast, the other choices either misrepresent the nature of the effect or inaccurately confine its relevance. The Dunning-Kruger effect does not assert that all individuals underestimate their abilities, nor does it apply only to highly skilled individuals or lack connection to cognitive psychology. Thus, the identification of the correct choice underscores the key principle of the Dunning-Kruger effect.