Why do people answer questions when they do not know the answer?

Answering Questions

It is OK to help answer a question, even if it's only a partial answer. Sometimes people can help point you in the right direction. We figure that's a start. They want to show you that you're smart, and they want to try to help you as much as possible so you can try to understand it.

This is what others had to say:

• I suspect they plan on seeking employment as a politician.

• Not knowing is an individual perspective. If you believe you "know" based on what you have been told or heard or read or experienced etc., then you are apt to pass this on. Have you ever heard the story about the 7 blind guys that you asked to describe an elephant? Each one of them are around an elephant and feel the portion of elephant that is in front of them. One feels the tusk and from his perspective he thinks the elephant is hard and smooth and comes to a point. Another feels the leg and from his perspective he thinks the elephant is a large rough cylinder shaped thing with hairy stubles. Another feels the trunk and from his perspective he thinks the elephant is a long snake like animal. And so on. So it all depends on what your perspective is on a subject. If you have felt all of the elephant and are also able to see, hear, smell the elephant, the better off you are able to precisely answer a question about the elephant. Those that answer questions typically have one common thread, that is they want to help. And for that, you should express appreciation. It is up to you to sort through and research to find how to expand your intelligence.

• The person might just want to have their name appear on the screen. Or they might just want to get extra trust points by answering questions, so they answer as many questions as they can even if they don't know the answer. If their answer really shouldn't be there, you could delete their answer and open up the question for answers again.

• I believe that even though they do not know of an answer saying I don't know is letting everyone in on their secret. Or perhaps the person answered because they would've considered themselves rude by not answering.

First answer by anonymous. Last edit by Ha Le Lu Ya. Contributor trust: 194 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 199 [recommend question]