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Learnings Mental Models

The Circle of Competence: Harnessing Expertise for Better Decision-Making

Introduction The Circle of Competence is a mental model that emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s knowledge and expertise boundaries in decision-making. Anchored in human psychology, this model highlights the significance of self-awareness and the ability to recognize and stay within one’s area of competence. By embracing the Circle of Competence, individuals can make more […]

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Learnings Mental Models

The Symmetry of Ignorance: Escaping the Fallacy of Equally Uninformed Decisions

Introduction The Symmetry of Ignorance is a compelling mental model that highlights our tendency to make irrational decisions when faced with limited information or when all parties involved possess equal ignorance on a subject. This concept emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our own lack of knowledge and understanding and how it impacts decision-making processes. Grounded […]

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Learnings Mental Models

The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Navigating the Pitfalls of Overconfidence

Introduction In the realm of decision-making, the human mind is prone to various biases and heuristics that can cloud our judgment. One such cognitive bias, the Dunning-Kruger Effect, sheds light on the intriguing phenomenon of individuals who possess limited knowledge or skills overestimating their abilities. This mental model, coined by psychologists David Dunning and Justin […]

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Learnings Mental Models

The Semmelweis Effect: Overcoming the Trap of Ignorance in Decision-Making

Introduction In the realm of decision-making, the Semmelweis Effect stands as a compelling mental model that sheds light on the propensity of individuals and groups to reject new information or ideas that challenge their existing beliefs or practices. Coined after the Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis, this phenomenon captures the tendency to dismiss valuable insights due […]

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Learnings Mental Models

Skill Compensation: The Illusion of Competence and Its Impact on Decision-Making

Introduction In the realm of decision-making, our assessment of our own skills and abilities can significantly influence the choices we make. The mental model known as “Skill Compensation” sheds light on how individuals tend to overestimate their abilities in one area to compensate for perceived deficiencies in another. This concept is deeply rooted in human […]