I’m curious what phrase or term is used to describe those who think they know better than anyone else. A Few Examples:
1.) People who always think their “people” are the best (like how I am with my mechanic’s garage)
2.) Electricians who despite “the code” always brag about their methods being best.
3.)Those people who think they know the best career path… the “you should do this” types.
I’m looking for something other than “Asshole” or “Know-it-all”
I am looking for a really succinct phrase or word to describe these people, any suggestions are welcome, the more factual and perfect the better. Sorry if its treads into IMHO. I just can’t think of it. A bout of insomnia yesterday has left me brain fried today.
There are a few very different concepts in those cases above but you may want to search for “fundamental attribution error” or “ultimate attribution error” but the question covers a lot of ground. Actor observer bias partially covers parts 1/2, but I can’t think of any term that would apply to something as broad as all three points.
Note that in many professions, holding strong opinions but being open to new information can be the generally preferred as a good trait in some of these fields.
hmm. These are good suggestions. A combination of “arrogance pontificator” sounds pretty good. The irony of all of this is I will likely use the term to attempt to win an argument. I also agree with rat_avatar said, about holding strong opinions and the like, its just hard to find those with strong opinions who also have an open mind.
I’m not sure what you mean by winning an argument. It’s more a description of somebody’s style of discourse and personality. An arrogant pontificator might be right or wrong in their ideas, it doesn’t really have any bearing on that.
Well, there’s always Wikipedia’s list of cognitive biases, which makes for eternally interesting reading. Upon quick review, there are a few candidates.
In other words, you remember that all your past choices worked out great, even though some of them actually didn’t. So you happily recommend other people make the same choices you did. Mere-exposure effect:
In other words, you’ve always wired things this way, and the electrical code is weird and new, so you keep wiring things the way you’ve always done it.
BEAUTIFUL! THIS! This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you Machine Elf!
Fascinating segments to read as well.
. I get peevish about the “Try this for a career” thing. It is as people don’t realize that what works for one may not work for another. Example: People would recommend to a friend to get into Radiology stuff in medicine, a “good career”. They don’t think that the person who has depression issues as it is, won’t be affected by the environment (that aspect of medicine is used in people who are usually seriously ill and could die). It’s irritating in the least.