Yale Study Say Internet Know-It-Alls Really Don’t!

Boy does the premise of this study reported in the UK Guardian ring TRUE. According to the study, reported by the British Psychological Society, using the internet makes us believe we know more than we do.

Think about that for a moment. Let it simmer. Think of all the conversations you’ve had with some of those “oh-so-sure-of-themselves-know-it-alls” and realize now from where the misplaced bravado comes. (I realize this could apply to me but for a moment let’s say it doesn’t!)

Researchers at Yale University looked at participants use of the internet to answer random questions. The hypothesis was something along the lines that success one time breeds feelings of likely success again.

Among the questions asked "why are there more women than men?" A control group was asked the same battery of questions but they answered without benefit of the internet.

Both groups were then asked if they thought they could they answer unrelated questions in other areas without using the internet. By now you may have guessed, the group that used the internet the first time around were more likely to overestimate their own knowledge. (The Guardian)

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, especially on trivia night at the pub.