Understanding Imposter Syndrome

Dr Clance and Dr Imes's seminal 1978 paper, "The Impostor Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention," examined how early family dynamics and societal stereotypes contribute to feelings of being an imposter. A persistent sense of intellectual deception characterises a psychological condition known as impostor syndrome. Individuals with impostor syndrome often internalise perceived failures and attribute their successes to external circumstances. This conceptualisation has been broadened by subsequent research (Rønnestad & Skovholt, 2003), which suggests that imposter experiences include relational, emotional, and cognitive elements, such as shame, fear of appraisal, and difficulties in internalising success.

The concept has been further explored, and 'imposter syndrome' has been redefined in discussions to highlight its relevance to various genders and professions. Much of the existing research targets students and individuals in academia. Breeze (2018) explored the implications of rethinking 'imposter syndrome' as sensations of not belonging and the conviction of having 'tricked' others into believing in one’s competence. This experience is often viewed as a private issue resulting from faulty self-esteem.

Chrousos and Mentis (2020) investigated individuals with imposter syndrome, noting their innate fear of being discovered as frauds despite evident talent and achievements. Imposter syndrome is notably prevalent among women, underrepresented ethnic minorities and high achievers. Bothello and Roulet (2019) found evidence of imposter syndrome among new academics, where high-achieving individuals commonly attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than skill, leading to feelings of meaninglessness in their work. This condition can generate a persistent fear of losing credibility, whether from exposure as frauds or from revealing their professions as lacking value.

Author - Christian Gould