I think this 'I don't know' attitude has been developed since childhood. They don't have a goal. For example, I was teaching tuition to a 13 year old boy and he did not seem enthusiastic enough. When I asked him what are your goals or what do you want to achieve, he said 'I don't know'. As a teacher, its pretty depressing to guide a student who does not have any goals. Even when I tried breaking it down for him, like what marks or greds he would 'like' to have, all he said was 'cincailah' (just whatever) as long as I pass. I had to tell him that if he wanted to continue classes with me, he had to change his mindset. This boy is gifted with so many things in his life. He has everything he wanted. On the other hand, another boy that I taught tuition, was not that gifted in his life. He never said I don't know! What is your goal? I want to be a doctor. He fails every subject. When I ask a question, he will have an answer even if it was wrong! Just over confidence in everything but after carefully analyzing, this boy always had an answer as he would be beaten by his dad if he did not answer. It was his survival mechanism! So, I probably think the 'I don't know' started of as they were afraid of having goals! Something in their past may have triggered them to say that and feel it is a perfect escape plan until they don't realize they have been carrying with them all their life!