Final answer:
Epistemic overconfidence can lead to lower levels of achievement if individuals overestimate their capabilities and fail to adequately prepare or put in the necessary effort. However, in certain high-pressure situations, overconfidence can boost performance and lead to higher levels of achievement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Epistemic overconfidence, or the tendency to overestimate one's own knowledge and abilities, can have various outcomes depending on the situation. In some cases, overconfidence may lead to lower levels of achievement if individuals overestimate their capabilities and fail to adequately prepare or put in the necessary effort. However, it's important to note that overconfidence doesn't always result in lower achievement. For example, in certain high-pressure situations, such as sports or competitive exams, overconfidence can actually boost performance and lead to higher levels of achievement.
The hypothesis related to overconfidence and lower levels of achievement would state that if individuals are overly confident in their abilities, they are less likely to put in the necessary effort or preparation, which would result in lower levels of achievement. This hypothesis is based on the assumption that overconfidence leads to complacency and a lack of motivation to improve or seek further knowledge and skills.
However, it's worth noting that there are limitations to the Dunning-Kruger effect mentioned in the provided information. While incompetent individuals may have an inflated sense of their own knowledge, highly competent experts may also underestimate their own abilities. Therefore, the relationship between overconfidence and achievement is complex and can vary depending on the specific context.