The Dunning-Kruger Effect: How Single Mistakes Go Undetected By Low Performers, Increasing Overconfidence

Barcelona, Spain · May 2026

Posters · Choices & Consequences: Judgment and Decision-Making

Mariana Coutinho
United Arab Emirates University
Michael O'Sullivan
United Arab Emirates University
Tala Abuelenien
United Arab Emirates University

Abstract

This study examined whether students recognize mistakes on individual MCQ items and whether this predicts performance overestimation. 383 undergraduates completed a 20-item English test with item-level accuracy judgments and a global estimate. Low performers showed high confidence in correct and incorrect answers, supporting the dual-burden account of the Dunning–Kruger effect.

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The Dunning-Kruger Effect: How Single Mistakes Go Undetected By Low Performers, Increasing Overconfidence

Abstract

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