Learners who lack the required knowledge generally lack the ability to assess and review their limited competence. Due to their incomplete and incorrect self-assessment, they are highly unlikely to apply strategies that assist them with the acquisition of relevant knowledge. 

This effect is known as the double curse of incompetence. These learners lack the ability to engage in self-reflection, they do not take a nuanced view of study, instead they seek to complain about assessments, the facilitator or the facilities instead of reviewing their actions and abilities objectively. They are just old style complainers with little to no ability to engage in meaningful self-analysis. 

In essence, they under-perform, then blame others for their failures. So, poor performers lack the expertise to recognise the factors that caused their personal failure. The failures include mobile phone use in class, poor behaviour, dismissive attitude, lack of general interest or an inability to apply themselves. Instead, they seek to blame others, the problem is not them – in their mind anyway. 

Individuals with expert knowledge tend to know they possess this knowledge; however, they make a different mistake. Instead, their perception is that everyone is knowledgeable too, if it is easy for them, then it must be easy for everyone. They don’t think their abilities are exceptional, they think if they understand the concepts, then everyone is at the same level. It is ironic really, the more gifted are mostly unaware of their gifts.