Abstract
It is widely accepted having insight into one’s ability and performance is an essential part of
being a professional. Self-evaluation, self-efficacy and confidence are key factors in any successful career. The Dunning-Kruger (DK) effect is a well-known effect regarding performance and knowledge. There is minimal research evidence investigating the DK effect in athletes
and sports. Equestrianism is a popular lifestyle and growing sport across the world. The
aim of the current study was to establish whether equestrians have insight into their own
equine knowledge or whether they over/underestimate their knowledge demonstrating a DK
effect? The present study included non-equine (n=123) and equine (n=128) participants with
different educational achievements (none, low, medium, high qualifications). Participation
was voluntary via an online study. Ethical approval was provided by University Centre
Hartpury ethics board. The non-equine group were asked to answer 40 general knowledge
questions. The equine group were asked to complete 40 specific equine related questions.
All participants were subsequently asked to estimate whether they felt they had answered
the questions correctly. Analysis comparing actual mean score with self-estimated mean
score demonstrated that: 1) non-equine participants irrespective of educational background
were accurate on their abilities to predict their general knowledge (Paired t-tests: P>0.05);
2) actual mean score compared with self-estimated mean score for the equine participants
demonstrated an over estimation of their equine knowledge regardless of qualification level
(Paired t-test: cohort: P=0.0001, t=4.0, df=127, 15±5% over-estimation; by qualification level
high: P=0.01, t=2.6, df=26, 15±6% over-estimation, medium: P=0.006, t=3.0, df=26, 19±6%, low:
P=0.02, t=2.5, df=42, 12±6%). This preliminary study found all equestrians had an inflated
confidence in their equine related knowledge indicating that equine related individuals have
only moderate insight into their abilities. This study is the first to provide evidence of a form
of the DK effect within the equine population. Future research must address the role of contextual factors i.e., whether the effect is limited to equine related material only. Furthermore,
research is required to investigate over estimation of physical skills for example riding or
horse care management and performance. For the equine industry the findings from this
preliminary study are very alarming and raise welfare, mental health and safety concerns.
Our study supports the need for further research investigating DK effect in the general field
of sport psychology for example the effect on ‘coachability’ of riders.
Original language | English |
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Pages | 66 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 21 Sept 2018 |
Event | 14th International Conference International Society for Equitation Science: Equitation Science 150 years after Caprilli: theory and practice, the full circle - Regiment Lanceri di Montebello, Rome, Italy Duration: 21 Sept 2018 → 24 Sept 2018 https://www.equitationscience.com/14th-ises-conference-2018 (Conference website) |
Conference
Conference | 14th International Conference International Society for Equitation Science |
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Abbreviated title | Equine welfare: good training, good feeding, good housing, good mental state, good health, good behaviour |
Country/Territory | Italy |
City | Rome |
Period | 21/09/18 → 24/09/18 |
Other | NOTE - this conference only published abstracts - as per blurb on back of proceedings 'Herein are summaries of presentations of the 14th Equitation Science Conference held in Rome in 2018. Along with synopses of plenary talks and practical demonstrations are abstracts describing recent research within the broad emerging field of Equitation Science.' |
Internet address |
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