What is expertise?

Burglars found to be as skilled as pilots:

BurÂglars are so good at robÂbing housÂes, they should be reÂgarded as exÂperts in their field on a paÂr with piÂlots, new reÂsearch conÂcludes.

PsyÂcholÂoÂgists Claire Nee and Amy Meenaghan of the UniÂverÂsiÂty of PortsÂmouth, U.K. found that burÂglars' speed and efÂfiÂcienÂcy puts them on a levÂel with othÂers who perÂform comÂpliÂcatÂed tasks auÂtoÂmatÂiÂcalÂly, such as muÂsiÂcians, chess playÂers and piÂlots.

The conÂcluÂsions were based on in-depth inÂterÂviews with 50 seÂriÂal burÂgÂlars on how they carÂry out break-ins, Nee and MeeÂnaÂgÂhan said.

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