[throwaway894345]

I wonder if this study is accidentally measuring people’s perception of their potential. I struggle a fair amount with public speaking; it’s a phobia for me, but I also know that I am capable of overcoming it if I prioritize it. So maybe I would seem to think I’m better than I am if the methodology accidentally conflates my belief about my potential with my belief about my current state?

[giantg2]

Maybe not even with their own potential but others'. For example, nearly everyone feels that their kids are special high performers in the US, or at least hope they are. We can't all be above average. I've heard that the Japanese have a different way of viewing it - that they hope for average since that's logically what they will get, but still push for fulfilling one's full potential.