Humanistic approach on Imposter Syndrome

The imposter syndrome, as stated by Camina (2018), is a psychological term referring to a pattern of
behavior where people doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent, often internalized fear of
being exposed as a fraud. This term was coined by clinical psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne
Imes in 1978, when they found that despite having adequate external evidence of accomplishments,
people with imposter syndrome remained convinced that they don’t deserve the success they have. This
is pervasive in both schools and workplaces affecting many high-achieving men and women when they
approach and achieve new goals. With each new accomplishment, each new chapter, there’s a learning
curve, a climb up to the next level, confronting self-doubts and learning valuable lessons along the way.
[ CITATION Dre20 \l 13321 ].

Cuncic (2020) emphasized that while this definition is usually narrowly applied to intelligence and
achievement, it has links to perfectionism and the social context. This could be alarming since these
feelings worsen anxiety and may lead to depression. People suffering impostor syndrome also tend not
to talk about how they are feeling with anyone and struggle in silence, just as do those with social
anxiety disorder.

Further analysis on this topic can be made using the humanistic approach as it deals with the
development of an individual’s personality. Here are some research questions that can be raised from
the topic:

1. What are other factors that trigger imposter syndrome?

2. Why does imposter syndrome have links to perfectionism?
3. How to determine that a person is experiencing from this phenomenon?
4. How does lineage affect the possibility of suffering from imposter syndrome in children and
adolescents?

Bibliography
Camina, M. (2018). The reality of imposter syndrome. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/real-women/201809/the-reality-imposter-
syndrome

Cuncic, A. (2020). What Is Imposter Syndrome? Retrieved from

https://www.verywellmind.com/imposter-syndrome-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4156469

Dreher, D. (2020). Do You Feel Like an Imposter? Retrieved from

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-personal-renaissance/202003/do-you-feel-
imposter