Lake Wobegon Effect

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Those who live around Lake Wobegon are almost perfect. Men are all handsome, women are strong, and children are smart. This town, where everyone believes with groundless self-confidence that (s)he is above average, is a fictional town that appears in a novel written by a satirist.

Psychologist Thomas Gilovich named the mentality of a person who overestimates himself Lake Wobegon Effect after this town. It is not really necessary to mention the findings supporting this psychological error; no one wants to underestimate himself. Everyone wants to believe as follows: ‘I’m a nice person,’ ‘I’m doing good enough,’ ‘It will be done better if I do it,’ or ‘I’m better than he is.’

In fact, it is impossible to assess yourself in a reasonable and accurate way. However, if you exalt yourself too much, you shall invoke overconfidence. Having a positive mindset and confidence without losing a modest attitude is a way not to fall into Lake Wobegon Effect.