Contextualizing the Impostor “Syndrome”

Frontiers in Psychology

article

Sanne Feenstra¹  Christopher T. Begeny²  Michelle K. Ryan¹  Floor A. Rink¹  Janka I. Stoker¹  Jennifer Jordan³ 

[1] Department of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour, University of Groningen;University of Exeter, United Kingdom;International Institute for Management Development, Business School

关键词: impostor syndrome;    impostor phenomenon;    social context;    stereotypes;    institutional underrepresentation;    unequal treatment;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2020.575024

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

The impostor “syndrome” refers to the notion that some individuals feel as if they ended up in esteemed roles and positions not because of their competencies, but because of some oversight or stroke of luck. Such individuals therefore feel like frauds or “impostors.” Despite the fact that impostor feelings are often linked to marginalized groups in society, to date, research predominantly approaches this phenomenon as an issue of the individual: pointing toward individuals for the roots and solutions of the “syndrome.” Drawing from a rich body of social and organizational psychology research, in this perspectives piece, we propose a shift in how scholars conceptualize and empirically examine this phenomenon. Instead of framing the insecurities of individuals belonging to marginalized groups solely as a problem that arises within these individuals, we argue that it is critical for future research to consider the important role of the environment in eliciting their impostor feelings as well. By doing so, we can address the contextual roots of individuals’ impostor feelings, and offer more structural and effective solutions.

【 授权许可】

CC BY