The Imposter Phenomenon

The “imposter phenomenon” is irksome, but it isn’t a clinical condition.

Your inner thoughts shape your dreams and ambitions, but they can also limit your growth. In the 1970s, psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes documented a mental state they called the “imposter phenomenon”: when capable, highly qualified people experience persistent feelings of inadequacy, often seeing themselves as “phoneys” or “imposters.” Harsh, self-deprecating inner dialogue discredits personal achievements and undermines an individual’s sense of competence — despite clear evidence of skill or success. For example, if you experience imposter thinking, you might doubt whether you deserve the praise or accolades you receive, attribute your success to a mistake or luck rather than to your expertise, or justify a promotion by concluding that you were the least expensive — rather than the best — candidate.

Although “imposter syndrome” is a common phrase, psychologists prefer the term “imposter phenomenon,” as the condition is not a clinical disorder. Feelings of inadequacy are temporary, situational, and episodic. They tend to surface in specific contexts, such as during office meetings...