Illusion of Explanatory Depth
The Psychology Behind It
We live in a world of complex objects and systems. To function, we don't need to know how everything works; we just need to know how to use it. We know that turning the handle flushes the toilet. This functional knowledge creates a false sense of deep understanding.
In a famous 2002 study, researchers asked people to rate how well they understood everyday objects like zippers and cylinder locks. People rated their understanding high. Then, they were asked to write a detailed, step-by-step explanation of how the object worked. Most couldn't do it. After struggling to explain, they lowered their self-ratings significantly.
This illusion persists because we confuse familiarity with understanding. We also rely on a "community of knowledge"—we know that someone knows how it works, so we feel like we know how it works.
Real-World Examples
Politics and Policy
People often have strong opinions on complex policies like healthcare reform or tax codes. When asked to explain the mechanics of the policy they support, they often can't. Interestingly, attempting to explain the policy often moderates their extreme views, as they realize the issue is more complex than they thought.
Technology
We use smartphones every day and feel we understand them. But if asked to explain how a touch screen actually registers a finger, most of us are stumped.
Science Literacy
Many people accept scientific facts (like "the earth revolves around the sun") without being able to explain the evidence or mechanism, yet they feel they "know" science.
Consequences
The illusion of explanatory depth can lead to:
- Overconfidence: We take strong stances on issues we don't understand.
- Polarization: Because we think our view is obvious and simple, we think those who disagree are stupid.
- Poor Decision Making: We vote for policies or buy products based on a superficial understanding of their effects.
How to Mitigate It
The cure for this illusion is the attempt to explain.
- The "Explain It to Me" Challenge: Before debating a topic, try to explain the mechanism to yourself or a friend in detail. "How exactly does a tariff work? Who pays it? When?"
- Ask "How," Not "Why": Asking "why" leads to values and reasons. Asking "how" leads to mechanisms and reveals gaps in knowledge.
- Intellectual Humility: Admit that most of what we "know" is actually knowledge stored in the world or in other people's heads.
Conclusion
The illusion of explanatory depth teaches us that our knowledge is thinner than we think. Recognizing this can make us more humble, more curious, and less dogmatic in our disagreements.