” Have you ever tried teaching your mom how to use a smartphone only to end up frustrated because she just doesn’t get it? Thats not her fault _ it’s the curse of knowledge at work”
The curse of knowledge is a psychological concept about once someone knows something it is hard for them to imagine not knowing it, and because of that when they explain something or a concept to someone they assume that they understand more than they actually do.
WHY IT MATTERS.
.It is bias since doesn’t favour both parties
.It causes confusion since the orther party can’t relate to what is being talked about
.It really does show poor teaching and can also cause miscommunication about the information being talked about
EXAMPLES;
.Giving someone directions
.Doctors using difficult words or jargons with patients
. A business dealer Speaking from his own knowledge instead of meeting the customer’s hence loosing them
HOW TO OVERCOME IT.
.Using simple language
explain it as talking to a beginner who is having a first time experience.
.Give examples about the context
for your audience to be able to relate to whatever you are trying to explain , use stories or analogies to make abstract ideas clearer.
. Test your explanation by asking someone outside your field if they do understand the point or explanation you are trying to put across.
.Avoid jargon , replace big words with everyday simple words if possible.
This is not a weakness, everybody falls in to the curse of knowledge, even experts , teachers or journalists.If you’ve ever been frustrated about explaining a concept to someone relax, its not your fault its the curse of knowledge at work.
The best communicators aren’t the smartest ones bt those who can make something complex or hard to feel simple.