:: COMPARE ::
The short answer
They're near opposites. Dunning-Kruger is overrating your ability when you know little; imposter syndrome is underrating it despite real competence. Experts often drift toward the imposter side.
Side by side
| Aspect | Dunning-Kruger | Imposter syndrome |
|---|---|---|
| Confidence | Too high | Too low |
| Skill level | Low | Often high |
| Blind spot | Can't see the gap | Can't see the skill |
| Feels | Certain | Fraudulent |
What each one means
The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias where people who know the least about something tend to overestimate how much they know — because the very skill needed to spot their mistakes is the skill they're missing. That mechanism is the standard account, and it is contested.
Full definition of Dunning-Kruger Effect →Imposter syndrome is the persistent private sense that your achievements are undeserved and that you'll eventually be exposed as a fraud — held despite clear evidence that you're competent.
Full definition of Imposter Syndrome →