Imposter Syndrome Sample
When we think of Albert Einstein, we call to mind a genius who changed the world by greatly advancing theoretical physics. Thoughts of Maya Angelou can invoke goosebumps as we recall her revolutionary, and award-winning work. Einstein and Angelou both transformed their fields, forever changing them and leaving an undeniable mark on history. Because of this, it might strike you as odd that both of these significant figures did not feel “worthy” of their achievements. Surprisingly, it is not uncommon for high-achievers to feel like frauds, attributing their success to good luck or timing, rather than hard work, intelligence, and talent. This phenomenon is called “Imposter Syndrome” and it is far more common than you might think.
Imposter syndrome is not a disorder, rather, it is a psychological term that encompasses behaviours related to a fear of being exposed as a fraud and doubting in one’s accomplishments, no matter how significant they may be. The term “Imposter Syndrome” was coined in 1978 when clinical psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes noticed individuals ignoring or discounting their achievements to instead entertain the belief that they did not deserve the success they had.
Imposter syndrome affects people of all ages and backgrounds and most often presents itself in one or more of the five following ways as categorized by Dr. Valerie Young:
1. The Perfectionist- Simply put, perfectionists set hard to achieve, if not unachievable goals for themselves which, when these goals are not reached, leaves them feeling like a failure and ultimately, an imposter.
2. The Superman/woman- Individuals who fall into this category push themselves to the limit to hide the feeling that they don’t measure up to their peers. While a good work ethic is a great quality to have the “Superman/woman” tends to overdo it causing harm to their interpersonal relationships as well as their physical and mental health.
3.The Natural Genius- People who set the bar incredibly high for themselves will likely fall into the “natural genius” category, basing their achievements on how easily and quickly they were accomplished rather than the amount of effort put forth. Those who deal with this type of imposter syndrome judge themselves harshly when they do not do something perfectly on the first try.
4. The Soloist- These individuals are independent, not because they trust themselves, but because they worry that relying on someone else in even the smallest capacity will expose them as the fraud they believe themselves to be.
5. The Expert- No matter how much an “expert” has achieved they fear they will never measure up. An “expert” could have years of experience, multiple degrees, and awards in their field yet still believe themselves to be incompetent.
The five archetypes of imposter syndrome show that it can impact many people in a variety of ways. Imposter syndrome can be stifling, causing people to hold themselves back out of fear of being “exposed”. It is important to remember that you are not alone in feeling this way and that you are, most likely, much more capable than you are leading yourself to believe. Imposter syndrome is your insecurities telling you they are protecting you, while, in reality, they are holding you back from flourishing to your capabilities. Give yourself credit, allow yourself to see your worth, and, over time, you may be able to combat imposter syndrome.
References:
Dalla-Camina, Megan “The Reality of Imposture Syndrome.” Psychology Today, September 3, 2018. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/real-women/201809/the-reality-imposter-syndrome
Hendriksen, Ellen “What is Imposter Syndrome?” Scientific American, May 27, 2015.
Ted-Ed “What is Imposter Syndrome and how can you Combat it? - Elizabeth Cox” Online Video Clip. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQUxL4Jm1Lo August 28, 2018.
Wilding, Melody “The Five Types of Imposter Syndrome and how to Beat Them.” Fast Company, May, 18, 2017. https://www.fastcompany.com/40421352/the-five-types-of-impostor-syndrome-and-how-to-beat-them
