What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a cognitive distortion that causes people to doubt their skills and accomplishments. This syndrome, which was first identified in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes, elicits feelings of self- doubt and personal incompetence that persist despite your education, experience, or accomplishments. People with Imposter Syndrome often feel that they have only succeeded due to luck.
The Five Types of Imposter Syndrome
There are five distinct Imposter Syndrome types that show up in different ways, and bring their own unique sets of challenges.
Superhero
Continually overworks themselves to make up for how inadequate the feel.
Natural Genius
Sets exceedingly high goals and then feels crushed when they don’t meet them.
Expert
Never satisfied with their level of expertise, and is always trying to learn more.
Perfectionist
Never completely happy with their work, and is fixated on flaws instead of strengths.
Soloist
Prefers to work alone, and won’t ask for help for fear of appearing weak or incompetent.
What causes Imposter Syndrome?
In the earliest studies on the phenomenon, researchers found that Imposter Syndrome was connected to factors including early family dynamics and gender stereotypes. Subsequent research has shown that this phenomenon occurs in people of all backgrounds, ages, and genders. Personality traits or characteristics that have been linked to a higher risk of experiencing Imposter Syndrome include Low Self-Efficacy, Perfectionism, Neuroticism, and Social Anxiety. The core reason that people experience Imposter Syndrome is really due to their unrealistic, unsustainable notions about what
it means to be competent.
Imposter Syndrome from childhood trauma
Your upbringing and family dynamics can both be Imposter Syndrome causes. Parenting styles characterized as controlling or overprotective often contribute to the development of imposter syndrome in children.
Imposter Syndrome in higher education
Impostor Syndrome is highly prevalent in school settings, which are probably the result of an overemphasis on intellectual ability, grades, and academic performance.
Imposter Syndrome in the workplace
Imposter Syndrome shows up at work as a feeling that you don’t deserve your job, despite all of your accomplishments, talent, or hard work.
Signs and symptoms of Imposter Syndrome
What does Imposter Syndrome feel like? People suffering from Imposter Syndrome feel as though, at any moment, they are going to be found out as a fraud. Signs of Imposter Syndrome include:
- Overachieving
- Self-doubt
- Sabotaging your own success
- Berating your performance
- An inability to realistically assess your competence and skills
- Attributing your success to external factors
- Fear that you won’t live up to expectations
- Setting very challenging goals and feeling disappointed when you fall short
