Quote Originally Posted by spockman View Post
Dunning
I haven't heard of this before, but that's essentially the idea: the incompetent make themselves out to be far more than what they are.

Quote Originally Posted by Awakening View Post
"Barking dogs don't bite"
While we're on the topic of size, and since our analogy is appropriate, you should consider familiarizing yourself with inferiority complexes. In this case, the Napoleon complex. Being smaller (and this does not apply strictly to physical size) in a heirarchical species means having more to prove, unless the individual in question is comfortable with who they are.

The small, shrill, barking dogs don't bite because they are afraid. They bark to make themselves sound big, and run when you approach them. Obviously there are small dogs that have been raised in a social environment to be easygoing and accepting of other people/animals they encounter. Those dogs seldom bark.