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Are You Above Average? The Lake Wobegon Effect

By Raymond Reid

If there were children living on Old Kernersville Lake I’m sure they would be described as “above average,” just like those in Garrison Keillor's fictional Lake Wobegon, “where all the women are strong and all the men are good-looking.” 

I saw Garrison Keillor years ago when he brought his “News from Lake Wobegon” to Greensboro. He was hilarious. His description of men, women and children, according to Psychology Wiki, created a social psychology term called the Lake Wobegon Effect: “The human tendency to overestimate one’s achievements and capabilities in relation to others. This psychology seems to cross all boundaries, even driving. 

An Ole Swenson survey in 1981 found that 80% of respondents rated themselves in the top 30% of all drivers. ( I would put myself in that category for sure, although I was ticketed years ago for passing on a median. And then there was the time I got caught speeding twice in the same day).

A Zuckerman and Jost survey in 2001 showed that most students judged themselves to be “more popular than average.”

In 1987, John Cannelloni completed a study that reported the statistically impossible finding that all states claimed average student test scores above the national norm. 

A recent College Board survey asked 829,000 high school seniors to rate themselves in a number of ways. When asked to rate their own ability to “get along with others,” a statistically insignificant number - less than one percent - rated themselves as below average. Furthermore, sixty percent rated themselves in the top ten percent, and one-fourth of respondents rated themselves in the top one percent.

The Lake Wobegon Effect has been found repeatedly by many other studies for other traits, including fairness, virtuosity, luck and investing ability, to name a few.

Long before Lake Wobegon, people have always overrated themselves. Mother had terms for it: “If that guy was half as smart as he thinks he is…”; “That guy has gotten too big for his breeches; “She always thought she was better than everybody else;” “Her nose is always stuck up in the air; hope it doesn’t rain.”

Anytime that I started acting like I was “above average,” Daddy had a way of bringing me down: “If you’re so smart, why aren’t you rich?” 

This whole Lake Wobegon Effect psychology term got me to thinking and being honest with myself. I do believe I’m above average when it comes to fairness and virtuosity. As for other traits, like patience and empathy, probably just average or below. I believe I’m an above-average writer and artist. I’m a below-average golfer. And a way below-average handyman. 

As for luck, I believe I’m way above average. How else could I talk my way out of two speeding tickets in the same day?

-Raymond Reid

Raymond Reid is a national award-winning humor columnist. He can be contacted at raymondlreid946@gmail.com

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