The Illusion of Control and the Dunning-Kruger Effect | Sayumi Ruvanya Attanayake | TEDxYouth@AISD
How many of you consider yourselves to be good debaters? Maybe you’ve out-argued your friends, convinced your parents to let you buy that iPhone, or scored top marks on that group presentation in class. Feeling confident in our abilities is something we’ve all experienced—but what if that confidence isn’t always backed by actual skill? What if it’s a trap?In this insightful and thought-provoking TEDx talk, Sayumi Ruvanya Attanayake invites the audience to confront a powerful psychological truth: we're not always as good as we think we are. Drawing on the cognitive psychology concepts of the Illusion of Control and the Dunning-Kruger Effect, the talk explores how and why we often overestimate our competence in areas where we might actually lack experience, training, or true understanding.With a warm and relatable tone, Sayumi Ruvanya Attanayake engages the audience by breaking down these biases into everyday examples—like school debates, negotiating with parents, or even making decisions in leadership roles. These moments seem simple on the surface, but they reveal a deeper problem: the gap between our perceived and actual competence. And that gap has real-world consequences, from poor decision-making and overconfidence in leadership to resistance toward feedback and growth.This talk also dives into how social media culture, grade inflation, and the constant pressure to “be exceptional” contribute to these distorted self-perceptions—especially for young people. We live in a world where being confident often gets mistaken for being right, and where humility is undervalued. But that needs to change.The talk ultimately delivers a compelling message: confidence isn’t the enemy, but unchecked confidence without reflection can be. Instead of blindly trusting our instincts or overvaluing our abilities, Ruvanya calls on viewers to "think again"—to embrace curiosity, seek feedback, and welcome the discomfort of not always being the best. Because that’s where true growth begins.By understanding the science behind how we perceive ourselves, and how these perceptions can mislead us, this TEDx talk offers a transformative lens through which we can better navigate school, relationships, leadership, and life. It’s not just about debating—it’s about learning to evaluate our own competence honestly and making space for continuous improvement.So, are you really as good as you think? Or is it time to think again?Watch this talk if you’re interested in: cognitive psychology and self-awareness, the science behind confidence and competence, how to grow as a student, leader, or individual, understanding the impact of overconfidence and unconscious bias, the path toward humility, reflection, and growth.This TEDx talk is a must-watch for students, educators, leaders, and anyone ready to challenge their assumptions and level up their self-awareness. How many of you consider yourselves to be good debaters? It could be when debating with your friends, convincing your parents to get you something, and so on. You can raise your hands. Now, think again. Keep your hands up if you think you are better than average at debating. You surely must have convinced your parents to get you that iPhone if you into high honor roll, yeah? This is what Ruvanya Attanayake will talk about, the illusion of control, and the Dunning-Kruger effect. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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