The Impostor syndrome, also imposter syndrome, Impostor phenomenon, Mogelpackungs syndrome, or impostor phenomenon is a psychological phenomenon in which Affected strongly doubted their own abilities, achievements and Successes.
You are plagued by self-doubt and not be able to record your personal achievements as such. You have the feeling that your success is only obtained, but have not earned.
Impostor syndrome affects everyday life
The Affected are praised by their fellows for their achievements, can you explain it with luck, coincidence or Overestimation of the own capabilities through the other.
People who are particularly affected by the Impostor syndrome, doubt so strong in yourself that you think you’re an imposter and a fraud. The fear that others could see through this “Scam”, accompanied their everyday life and affects your quality of life this immensely.
Regardless of gender and performance
The Impostor syndrome affects more people than you might think. This is true both in professional life as well as in the training. According to a study by Brigham Young University, where around 20 percent of the students are affected.
The Impostor syndrome is dependent on gender, and is in no relation to the performance. Even very successful people can’t partly believe, to have the success really deserves.
A strong social network
To find out, can be helped like the victims, interviewed the scientists, students from an Elite academic program according to their strategies in dealing with the Impostor syndrome.
In the evaluation of the responses, the researchers came to the conclusion that the support and donations of friends and family have a positive impact. It was important above all that were able to leave the Affected in a strong social network outside of the University.
In contrast, those who have turned to fellow students felt, often even worse. Also extrusions and Dubbing of the problem are not able to eliminate the inner doubts.
Help in the Job
In addition to a good supportive circle of friends, or a professional therapeutic assistance can also be at the job level, things done, people with Impostor-support syndrome.
A corporate structure in the open about mistakes and Failure is spoken can do a lot to the well-being of the Affected help and you might help your own performance, recognising it as such.
Source
- Gardner, R. et al. (2019): “I must have slipped through the cracks somehow”: an examination of coping with perceived impostorism and the role of social support. Archived from the original on 26.11.2019: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001879119301095
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*The contribution of “self-doubt and feelings of inferiority: the impostor syndrome affects the life” is published by FitForFun. Contact with the executives here.