# 87 Are YOU above average?

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲?

On a scale from 1-10, how would you rate your intelligence?

What about your attractiveness?

Your work ethic?

I’m guessing you probably scored yourself between 6 to 8 in most of these areas.

The 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻-𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 is a cognitive bias where people overestimate their abilities, qualities, or performance compared to others, even though it’s statistically impossible for everyone to be above average.  A meta-analysis of 124 articles confirmed that the better-than-average effect is robust and widespread (though it is more pronounced in individualistic than collectivist cultures).  For example, 88% of U.S. drivers and 77% of Swedish drivers rated themselves as safer than the average driver, while prisoners in the UK assessed themselves as above average in kindness and morality (and – ironically –  𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 in law abidingness).

While this bias boosts self-esteem and well-being, on the other hand, it can also contribute to overconfidence, and stifle our desire to learn and improve.