Tourism Myths and the Dunning Kruger Effect

Keywords

Competence; Dunning Kruger effect; Metacognition; Self-assessment; Tourism myths

Abstract

There are many erroneous but pervasive 'truths' about tourism. This study assesses individuals' capacity to question these myths alongside their self-perceptions of their critical thinking skills. The research used a survey with 1493 respondents from 22 universities across 16 countries/territories to test the Dunning Kruger effect, which suggests an inverse relationship between self-belief and competence. The data provides strong evidence of the Dunning Kruger effect insofar as those more likely to believe in tourism myths also had a greater tendency to overestimate their capabilities, and vice versa. We discuss the possible causes and the implications for tourism education, identifying potential interventions at different points along learners' developmental journeys to help ensure a more sustainable future for tourism scholarship and practice.

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Original Citation

Pratt, S., Pan, B., Agyeiwaah, E., Lei, S. S. I., Lugosi, P., Kirillova, K., Piirman, M., Lockwood Sutton, J., Jönsson, H. C., Haselwanter, S., Smith, R. P., Sinha, R., Berno, T., Mackenzie, M., Graci, S., Rao, Y. V., Veliverronena, L., Zekan, B., Suranga Silva, D. A. C., & Park, S. (2024). Tourism myths and the Dunning Kruger effect. Annals of Tourism Research, 104, N.PAG. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2023.103620.

Document Type

Paper

Language

English

Source Title

Annals of Tourism Research

Volume

104

College

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Location

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

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