What is the above average effect?
- Also known as illusory superiority
- A cognitive bias whereby individuals overestimate their own qualities and abilities, relative to others
- US college board (1976)-asked people to rate themselves on characteristics as above or below average
- 70% of people rated themselves as having above average leadership qualities
- Stevenson (1981) surveyed Swedish and US student drivers
- 93% of US and 69% of Swedish put themselves in the top 50% for driving skills
- Wilson & Ross (2001)
- P's rated themselves and an acquaintance at 2 points in time
- Rated themselves as significantly better than previously but not for their friends