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On the Competence and Incompetence of Experts

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Book cover Expertise and Decision Support

Abstract

The widespread and unexceptional use of the term “expert” suggests that there is general public acceptance of the validity of the concept of an expert. For example, in news reports of particular “specialist” areas such as foreign politics, economics, and transport disasters, it is quite routine for particular individuals, presented as experts, to be explicitly consulted, and asked for their analyses, judgments, and opinions, which are quoted and duly accorded some weight and prominence.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, City of London Polytechnic, Old Castle Street, London, El 7NT, England

    Peter Ayton

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  1. Peter Ayton
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Strathclyde Glasgow, Scotland

    George Wright

  2. University College London London, England

    Fergus Bolger

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© 1992 Plenum Press, New York

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Ayton, P. (1992). On the Competence and Incompetence of Experts. In: Wright, G., Bolger, F. (eds) Expertise and Decision Support. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-34290-0_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-34290-0_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-43862-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-585-34290-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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