Laws & Patterns
Cognitive Bias

Dunning-Kruger Effect

People with low ability overestimate their competence

Definition

Individuals with limited knowledge or competence in a domain overestimate their own knowledge or competence in that domain. This affects how users perceive their skill level and their willingness to seek help or follow guidance.

Do

  • Provide progressive learning paths for complex features
  • Offer both beginner and advanced modes
  • Make help and tutorials easily accessible
  • Guide users through complex tasks step-by-step

Avoid

  • Assume all users know their actual skill level
  • Hide help systems or make them hard to find
  • Design only for expert users
  • Skip educational content for complex features

When to apply

  • Help systems
  • Onboarding design
  • Expert vs novice modes
  • Progressive disclosure

Related topics

Similar principles

Have this and 100+ more in your pocket.

Download on the App Store
Next principleEmpathy Gap