The opposite of the Dunning-Kruger effect is the Imposter Syndrome.
While the Dunning-Kruger effect describes individuals who overestimate their abilities due to a lack of competence, the Imposter Syndrome describes individuals who underestimate their abilities despite evidence of their competence.
People with Imposter Syndrome often feel like frauds, believing that they are going to be exposed as incompetent at any moment. They may attribute their successes to luck or external factors, and they may be reluctant to take on new challenges or responsibilities for fear of failure.
Here are some key differences between the Dunning-Kruger effect and the Imposter Syndrome:
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Dunning-Kruger: Overconfidence, Lack of self-awareness, Incompetence
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Imposter Syndrome: Underconfidence, Self-doubt, Competence
While the Dunning-Kruger effect can be seen as a lack of self-awareness, the Imposter Syndrome can be seen as excessive self-awareness.
Both effects can have a negative impact on individuals' lives, but they have different causes and manifestations.
