Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome describes a persistent internal experience of feeling like an intellectual fraud despite objective evidence of competence and accomplishment, along with a fear that one will eventually be exposed as less capable than others believe. It was first described by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, whose early research focused on high-achieving women who attributed their success to luck, timing or the ability to charm others rather than to their own ability. People experiencing it often respond by overworking to prevent an anticipated exposure or by downplaying their own achievements.