Curse of knowledge

Self Assessment

The curse of knowledge is a cognitive bias that occurs when an individual, who is well-informed about a subject, finds it challenging to think about the subject from the perspective of someone who lacks that knowledge.

How it works

When people acquire expertise in a particular area, they often struggle to convey that knowledge in a way that is understandable to novices. This is because they forget what it is like not to know the material, leading to overestimation of how much others know and underestimation of the complexity of their own knowledge.

Examples

  • A professor explaining a complex concept to students without realizing they might be unfamiliar with foundational concepts.
  • A software developer writing technical documentation that is too advanced for end users without technical background.
  • A manager assuming their new employee understands industry-specific jargon that they use in meetings.

Consequences

This bias can lead to communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, and an inability to effectively teach or share information. It can also create frustration and a lack of engagement among audiences who feel overwhelmed or left out.

Counteracting

To counteract the curse of knowledge, experts should make a conscious effort to adopt the perspective of a novice, explain concepts in simple terms, and encourage questions. Utilizing analogies and having non-experts review content can also help ensure clarity.

Critiques

While the curse of knowledge highlights important communication challenges, some argue that it oversimplifies the challenges experts face in communicating complex information and overlooks the effort many make to bridge these gaps.

Fields of Impact

Communication & Media Studies
Business
UX
Information & Technology
Education & Learning Technologies
Psychology & Social Science

Also known as

Expert blind spot
Knowledge blindness

Relevant Research

  • The curse of knowledge in economic settings: An experimental analysis

    Camerer, C., Loewenstein, G., & Weber, M. (1989)

  • The curse of expertise: The effects of expertise and debiasing methods on predictions of novice performance

    Hinds, P. J. (1999)

  • Knowledge convergence in computer-supported collaborative learning: The role of external representation of knowledge

    Fischer, F., & Mandl, H. (2005)

Test your knowledge

Check your understanding of Curse of knowledge with a short quiz

Apply what you've learned and reinforce your understanding of this cognitive bias.