The “I know” mind-set as a stumbling block to learning

One of the student mind-sets that I encounter from time to time as a teacher of martial arts is the “I know” attitude to what is being presented (i.e. continually looking at something and assuming that they already know everything there is to know about it.). More often than not the student does not know the details of what is being taught and is merely expressing an egotistical attitude son that he/she will appear superior in other students’ minds.