Imposter Phenomenon
3 Core Factors: Harvey & Katz
-Belief that they have fooled other people -Fear of being exposed as an impostor -Inability to attribute own achievement to internal qualities such as ability / intelligence / skills
Dunninger-Kruger Effect
-Cognitive bias where people of low ability suffer from illusory superiority, mistakenly assessing their cognitive ability as greater than it is -Perceived vs. Actual ability
Impostor Phenomenon / Impostor Syndrome
-Dr. Clance described from her observations in clinical settings -Psychological pattern rooted in intense, concealed feelings of fraudulence when faced with achievement tasks -Experience intense feelings that achievements are undeserved and worry they are likely to be exposed as a fraud
Characteristics of Impostor Syndrome: Denial of Competence and Discounting Praise
-Have difficulty internalizing success -Attribute success to external factors -NOT a display of false modesty
Characteristics of Impostor Syndrome: Fear of Failulre
-High anxiety when exposed to achievement related tasks; fear possibility of failure -Making mistakes and not performing at highest standard brings shame and humilitation -Tend to overwork to make sure they don't fail
Characteristics of Impostor Syndrome: Fear and Guilt About Success
-If their success is unusual in their family or peers, often feel less connected -Fear of being rejected by others -Overwhelmed by guilt about being different -Fear success will lead to higher demands / expectations which may reveal intellectual phoniness
Who Experiences Impostor Feelings?
-Individuals who are highly successful but unable to internalize their successes -Men and women -People in various occupations -Across different cultures
Characteristics of Impostor Syndrome: The Impostor Cycle: After Task
-Initial sense of relief and accomplishment -May receive + feedback, deny their success is related to their ability -Disregard success if there is any gap between their perceived performance and their ideal standard -Repetition of success reinforces feeling of fraudulence instead of weakening the links of the cycle
Characteristics of Impostor Syndrome: The Impostor Cycle: Before Task
-Leads to anxiety related symptoms -Reaction to anxiety is either extreme over preparation or initial preparation
Impostorism Antecedents
-Predisposed personality traits like neuroticism and perfectionism are assumed to be factors -Family dynamics / messages -Lack of positive reinforcement
Impostorism Consequences
-Psychological distress -Anxiety / depression -Burnout / exhaustion -Loss of intrinsic motivation
Characteristics of Impostor Syndrome: The need to be special, to be the very best
-Secretly harbor the need to be the very best compared to peers -Realize many people are exceptional and their own talents / abilities are not atypical -Often dismiss talents and conclude they're stupid if they're not the very best
Superwoman / Superman Aspects
-The "need to be the very best" and Super aspects are inter-related -Often referred to as perfectionist tendency -Expect to do everything flawlessly in every aspect of their lives -Set high and almost impossible standards as their goals -Feel overwhelmed and disappointed if they can't fulfill perfectionist goals
Characteristics of Impostor Syndrome
1. The Impostor Cycle 2. The need to be special, to be the very best 3. Superwoman / Superman 4. Fear of Failure 5. Denial of competence and discounting praise 6. Fear and guilt about success
Success: Procrastinate
Attribute to luck (never confidence or abilities)
Success: Overwork
Due to hard work
When does Impostor Cycle start?
When an achievement related task is assigned
