Why People Are So Confident When They’re Wrong

Ever wonder why you’re so sure you’re right—only to be totally off? Veritasium dives into overconfidence as a cognitive bias, unpacks the real Dunning-Kruger effect curve, and shows how our brains take shortcuts that pump up our certainty. From Nick Leeson’s rogue trading meltdown to an English bank’s collapse, it’s full of “aha!” moments on how misplaced confidence can go spectacularly wrong (and sometimes spark the drive to learn more).

But it’s not all doom and gloom—there are perks to being a bit overconfident, and you can actually train yourself out of it. By seeking honest feedback, reflecting on mistakes, and playing a new tabletop game (yes, really!), you’ll get your confidence meter calibrated for real-world success.

Watch on YouTube