Presentation
nikkieramsey
ImposterSyndromePresentation_sample1.pptx
Imposter Syndrome
Finding the Predictors
Introduction
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is a phenomenon originally termed by Clance and Imes in 1978. Those who have Imposter Syndrome are, in fact, not imposters at all. Imposter Syndrome (alternatively called Imposter Phenomenon) is a common psychological phenomenon in which individuals regularly believe that they are incompetent in their given field or at a type of task, regardless of their accomplishments and qualifications (Clance & Imes, 1978). These individuals deny their own skill and ability, chalking it up as “fooling others” or “luck” that has got them to where they are today.
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“[I do not] carry such information in my mind since it is readily available in books. ”
“…The value of a college education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think.”
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Hypothesis
The current study is going to investigate three variables that to be possible predictors of Imposter Syndrome.
Self Concept Clarity
Vulnerable Narcissism
Upward Social Comparison
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Predictor #1: Self-Concept Clarity
Self-Concept is defined as what an individual considers to be the most emblematic of their true nature, regardless of if the cognitive schema aligns with “actual” self of the individual (Schlegel et al., 2009). Thus, a clarity of self-concept is the ability that one has on identifying the characteristics that define them.
Schlegel et al. (2009) suggests that finding one’s “true self” contributes significantly to the overall well-being of an individual. Should a conflict arise with this identification, so shall conflict arise in the well-being of an individual.
Many young adults today have identification issues due to not fully seeing themselves as an adult or an adolescent (Arnett, 2001). This identity tension that arises within emerging adults can then continue forward into their professional lives, especially as they continue to achieve higher education (Murphy, Blustein, Bohlig, & Platt, 2010). This lack of a clear identity is suggested by the current study to foster a state in which Imposter Syndrome can grow.
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Predictor #2: Vulnerable Narcissism
When people think of Narcissism, they tend to think of those who are Grandiose Narcissists: self-important and with feelings of superiority, as well as interpersonal exploitativeness (Raskin and Hall, 1981). Vulnerable Narcissism, by contrast, is a more sensitive form of narcissism. Those who are vulnerable narcissists are hypersensitive, defensive, and withdrawal internally (Cain et al., 2008). The vulnerable narcissist will essentially seek out attention and approval from others to boost their weak esteem.
A study by Kaufman et al. (2020) found that vulnerable narcissism is associated with feelings of Imposter Syndrome, as well as a weak sense of self. This study collectively finds that both imposter syndrome and a weaker sense of self are related to vulnerable narcissism, thus strengthening vulnerable narcissism as the second predictor to be analyzed in the current study.
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Predictor #3: Upward Social Comparison
Upward Social Comparison is defined as comparing oneself to someone who is more “superior” or “better” than oneself (Wood 1989).
A study by Chayer and Bouffard (2010) found upward social comparison within children as young as ten years old, and within a sample of 10–12-year-olds, a positive correlation between feelings of imposter syndrome and upward social comparison. Furthermore, those who identified themselves with imposter feelings also identified themselves with peers who were less capable than them, rather than their more capable peers.
Method
Participants
Individuals to be recruited will be of all ages (18+), ethnicities, and genders. Participants will be adults recruited via social media from the general population. The sample is most likely going to contain college students as portion of the sample. An attempt will be made to recruit at least 50 participants for the study. Participants will fill out online questionnaires that measure Imposter Syndrome, Self-Concept Clarity, Vulnerable Narcissism, and Upward Social Comparison. Additionally, participants will fill out a basic demographic questionnaire.
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Method
Measures for the current study include:
Leary Impostorism Scale. Items are scored on a Likert-Scale from 1-5. 1 = not at all characteristic of me. 2 = Slightly characteristic of me. 3 = Moderately characteristic of me. 4 = Very characteristic of me. 5 = Extremely characteristic of me.
The Iowa-Netherlands Social Comparison Orientation Measure. Items are scored from 1-5 with anchors ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
Campbell’s Self Concept Clarity Measure. Items are scored from 1-5 with anchors ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
International Personality Item Pool Representation of the NEO PI-R. Facets from this measure will be used to measure narcissism, with attention on vulnerable narcissism.
Results
Because the current study will be measuring variables that may predict Imposter Syndrome, the results will be statistically analyzed through a Multiple Linear Regression analysis.
The statistical results will be presented as such: The results of this multilinear regression indicated that the model is/is not a significant predictor in Imposter Syndrome, F(_, _) =__, p=__. The model also explained/did not explain a significant proportion of variance in Imposter Syndrome, R2 = __. Self Concept Clarity did/did not significantly predict Imposter Syndrome scores, b =__, p = __. Additionally, Vulnerable Narcissism did/did not significantly predict Imposter Syndrome scores, b = __, p = __. Lastly, Upward Social Comparison was/was not a significant predictor in Imposter Syndrome scores, b = __, p =___.
Discussion: Implications of Results
Hypothesis 1: Upward Social Comparison as a Predictor of Imposter Syndrome
If predictive: This result would indicate the importance of how these social comparisons influence an individual’s own perceptions about themselves. This leads into the second predictor, self-concept clarity.
If not predictive: This would suggest that upward social comparison does not lead to feelings of Imposter Syndrome. This would conflict with some previous literature on the matter of upward social comparison and Imposter Syndrome (Chayer & Bouffard, 2010)
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Discussion: Implications of Results
Hypothesis 2: Low Self-Concept Clarity as a Predictor of Imposter Syndrome
If predictive: Should the results find that Low Self-Concept is a predictor, it would support some alternative measures to combat against Imposter Syndrome, such as having an authentic analysis of self (Anderson, 2020) . Because having a low self-concept clarity would imply the inability to form a distinguished concept of oneself, it can indicate the warped sense of self that those with Imposter Syndrome have.
If not predictive: It would imply that Imposter Syndrome is not related to how clear an individual’s sense of self is. This would possibly imply that Imposter Syndrome has a different way in which it forms that does not relate to sense of self.
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Discussion: Implications of Results
Hypothesis 3: Vulnerable Narcissism as a Predictor of Imposter Syndrome
If predictive: This is hypothesized because those with vulnerable narcissism negatively internalize criticism due to the conflict it has on their higher view of self. This, in turn, it can lead to a sensitivity to criticism (Atlas & Them, 2008). This sensitivity to criticism can then foster a state in which Imposter Syndrome can grow. Should the results indicate that vulnerable narcissism is predictive of Imposter Syndrome, it can solidify the mutual characteristics that both have (particularly the negative mindset of receiving criticism).
If not predictive: The results suggest that, although they share some of the same features, vulnerable narcissism and Imposter Syndrome are not related. It can be suggested to investigate other personality types that may be more prone to Imposter Syndrome.
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Discussion
Weaknesses of Study: Weaknesses of this study include using a survey format. While both an efficient and effective method of data collection, there is always the chance that participants may not be fully honest during the survey, or that they would answer questions in a way that they think the researchers want them to answer in. The survey may also be a bit lengthier than some shorter surveys, which may result in test-taker fatigue as well. Additionally, Multiple Linear Regression analysis is sensitive to outliers that may be present in the data.
Discussion
Future Research:
Future research may choose to investigate the practical approach of applying therapeutic techniques on those with Imposter Syndrome to observe results. It can be suggested that those with Imposter Syndrome may benefit from therapy that focuses on distinguishing who they are, their passion, their mindfulness of the world, and their purpose in it. Previous research has found that those who practice mindfulness have lower levels of Imposter Syndrome, suggesting a possible beneficial method to combatting it (Anderson, 2020). Future experimental research may also want to focus on the effects of social comparison on Imposter Syndrome. One proposed experiment is to have participants network with those who are higher ranking in their field then themselves (upward social comparison). Then, have participants network with those who are lower leveled in their field then themselves (downward social comparison) and compare the results.
Overall, the results found within this current study can impact the future direction of Imposter Syndrome research and combative methods.
If you have any further questions regarding my study or Imposter Syndrome in general, I encourage you to reply to me in the discussion boards. I will answer all questions to the best of my ability.
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Thank you!
Thank you for listening to my presentation! References for further reading can be found in the rest of these slides. Have a great day everyone.
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References
Anderson, A. (2020). A Quantitative Examination of Mindfulness and Impostor Phenomenon in Clinical Counseling Supervisors (Doctoral dissertation, Capella University).
Atlas, G. D., & Them, M. A. (2008). Narcissism and sensitivity to criticism: A preliminary investigation. Current psychology, 27(1), 62.
Arnett, J. J. (2001). Conceptions of the transition to adulthood: Perspectives from adolescence through midlife. Journal of adult development, 8(2), 133-143.
Cain, N. M., Pincus, A. L., & Ansell, E. B. (2008). Narcissism at the crossroads: Phenotypic description of pathological narcissism across clinical theory, social/personality psychology, and psychiatric diagnosis. Clinical psychology review, 28(4), 638-656.
References
Chayer, M. H., & Bouffard, T. (2010). Relations between impostor feelings and upward and downward identification and contrast among 10-to 12-year-old students. European journal of psychology of education, 25(1), 125-140.
Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241.
Kaufman, S. B., Weiss, B., Miller, J. D., & Campbell, W. K. (2020). Clinical correlates of vulnerable and grandiose narcissism: a personality perspective. Journal of Personality Disorders, 34(1), 107-130.
Murphy, K. A., Blustein, D. L., Bohlig, A. J., & Platt, M. G. (2010). The college‐to‐career transition: An exploration of emerging adulthood. Journal of Counseling & Development, 88(2), 174-181.
References
Raskin, R., & Hall, C. S. (1981). The Narcissistic Personality Inventory: Alternative form reliability and further evidence of construct validity. Journal of personality assessment, 45(2), 159-162.
Schlegel, R. J., Hicks, J. A., Arndt, J., & King, L. A. (2009). Thine own self: true self-concept accessibility and meaning in life. Journal of personality and social psychology, 96(2), 473.
Wood, J. V. (1989). Theory and research concerning social comparisons of personal attributes. Psychological bulletin, 106(2), 231.
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