E4: Impostor Syndrome

Today’s topic is the impostor syndrome: a self-perceived intellectual fraud - coined by Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, back in 1978. Despite being such a common phenomenon for high-achievers, there are even therapists who had not heard of this "syndrome". There are three core elements of the impostor phenomenon: A belief that he/she has fooled others. A fear of being exposed as an impostor. An inability to attribute own achievement to internal qualities such as ability, intelligence, or skills. So many successful people have impostor syndrome: Albert Einstein, Michelle Obama, Agatha Christie, Meryl Streep, Maya Angelou, Neil Armstrong, Tom Hanks, Robbie Williams, David Tennant… so many quote-unquote “successful, high-achieving” people. Two questions regarding today's topic: Firstly, do you think you are harder on yourself than you are on others when it comes to expectations and mistakes? How do you feel when you look at your achievements more objectively? Secondly, if you are one of the people who experience the impostor phenomenon, how does knowing its name and how wide-spread it is make you feel? References: Clance, P. R. (1985). The impostor phenomenon: Overcoming the fear that haunts your success. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree. Harvey, J. C., & Katz, C. (1985). If I’m so successful, why do I feel like a fake?: The impostor phenomenon. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press. Sakulku, J., & Alexander, J. (2011). The imposter phenomenon. International Journal of Behavioral Science, 6(1), 73–92. Retrieved from https://www.sciencetheearth.com/uploads/2/4/6/5/24658156/2011_sakulku_the_impostor_phenomenon.pdf “Overcoming the Imposter Syndrome” at FutureLearn: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/overcoming-imposter-syndrome