Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome

Learning Objective

After reading and discussing "Overcoming Imposter Syndrome," we can identify and restate the article's key ideas and details.

Background Information

The term "imposter phenomenon" was coined in 1978 by two clinical psychologists, Dr. Pauline Clance and Dr. Suzanne Imes. Clance and Imes noticed that many women college students lacked confidence in their skills. For their study, they interviewed successful women and found that many felt little sense of internal success. They thought that their achievements had been the result of luck more than talent or hard work. Other studies since then have repeated the results found by Clance and Imes. Some have found that imposter syndrome can also be a problem for men.

Let's Read

As you read, annotate your text:

• use context clues to determine the meaning of the bolded vocabulary words.

• ask questions and/or make predictions.

• Identify key details, events, individuals, and connections between them.

Open Ended

According to the text, how does a person know whether it is likely that they have imposter syndrome?

Open Ended

Is imposter syndrome a mental illness?

Open Ended

What can people do to overcome their imposter feelings?

​Good Luck

Comprehension Quiz

Multiple Choice

Based on paragraph 12, the author most likely believes...

• impostorism is the same thing as being overwhelmed

• those who often fail are more susceptible to impostorism

• perfectionism worsens impostorism

• impostorism results from holding oneself responsible for one’s actions

Multiple Choice

According to the text, talking to other people or groups of people about your experiences with impostorism ...

• often helps you realize that you are not alone, and builds a community of people who understand

• helps you focus on other people’s lives, which can make your life seem better

• can make individual symptoms worse through collective complaining

• means you are weak

Multiple Choice

The author most likely includes paragraph 4 to ...

• imply that some people aren’t strong enough to handle impostor syndrome

• demonstrate that impostor syndrome might be nothing more than a misunderstanding of several other psychological problems

• illustrate how detrimental impostor syndrome can be to a person’s life

• show that impostor syndrome comes from experiences outside one’s mind

Multiple Choice

Which idea is best supported by the text?

• Impostor syndrome affects half of all people at some point in their lives.

• Financially successful people are immune to impostor syndrome.

• Impostor syndrome is slightly more likely to affect marginalized groups of people.

• Current science indicates that impostor syndrome only affects women.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following selections best states a broad definition of impostor syndrome?

• A mental health disorder characterized by chronic fear of public recognition.

• An intense concern that one’s most shameful thoughts and secrets will be publicly disclosed.

• The persistent and overpowering need to attribute one’s success to external factors.

• The desire or compulsion to assume other personas in order to achieve success.

Multiple Choice

Which quote from the text most strongly supports the correct answer to Question 5?

• “Essentially, people with impostor syndrome do not internalize their success.”

• “Though diverse groups of people have struggled with impostorism, people from marginalized backgrounds tend to experience it more.”

• “In fact, impostor syndrome is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the main authority on psychiatric diagnoses published by the American Psychiatric Association."

• “As such, when things do not go as planned, people who struggle with impostorism feel overwhelmed or disappointed and tend to generalize their inability to meet their perfectionistic goals as evidence that they are a failure.”

Poll

What is a central idea of the passage about combatting imposter syndrome?

• Comparing yourself to others can help you can gain perspective.

• Watching movies and reading books where underdogs come out on top can provide inspiration.

• Seeking medication and psychotherapy is necessary for recovery.

• Practicing regular self-compassion improves self-image long term.

Multiple Choice

Which statement from the text most strongly exemplifies the correct answer to Question 7?

• “To manage emotions effectively, it is important to have a toolbox of strategies from which you can choose.”

• “Instead of focusing on being perfect, it is helpful to remind yourself that everyone is entitled to make mistakes—even you. And, when you do well, do something amazing for yourself.”

• “Anxiety can manifest in tension in the body, an increased heartbeat, an inability to stay still and focus, and hurried speech.”

• “Undoubtedly, you are great at something.”