The Impostor Phenomenon
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This book offers a scientific investigation into the impostor phenomenon, a concept that has long been misunderstood in popular culture.
Much of the conventional wisdom about the impostor phenomenon is driven by intuitive, common-sense based recommendations about how to cope with and conquer impostor feelings. Unfortunately, much of this discourse is neither rooted in nor informed by empirical research. There are many important theoretical and methodological questions regarding the impostor phenomenon that remain unanswered, such as whether the impostor phenomenon is a personality trait at the core of one's identity, or merely a predisposition triggered by circumstances or fears of being evaluated.
This book describes the theoretical underpinnings of the impostor phenomenon along with common measurement issues, implications for mental health and achievement, its relative prevalence among various population groups, and practical applications of the concept in psychotherapy and mental health treatment more broadly.
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Importance of Empirical Research on the Impostor Phenomenon
Kevin Cokley
Part I: Conceptual, Theoretical, and Methodological Foundations
Chapter 1. Impostor Phenomenon: Origins and Treatment
Pauline Clance and Suzann Lawry
Chapter 2. An Overview of the Impostor Phenomenon: Definitional and Theoretical Considerations
Kevin Cokley, Keoshia Harris, Shaina Hall, and Myya Singletary
Chapter 3. The Impostor Phenomenon and Mental Health
Ramya Garba, Carly Coleman, and Tia Kelley
Chapter 4. Impostor Syndrome and Burnout
Lizette Ojeda
Chapter 5. The Impostor Phenomenon’s Relation to Achievement at School and Work
Lauren A. Blondeau
Chapter 6. Measurement Issues Related to the Impostor Phenomenon
Hwa Young Lee, Cheryl B. Anderson, Kevin Cokley, and Shine Chang
Part II: Populations and Context
Chapter 7. Gender and the Impostor Phenomenon
Kadie R. Rackley, Taylor Payne, Ashley Bennett, and Germine H. Awad
Chapter 8. Racism and the Impostor Phenomenon Among African American Students: A Socioecological Analysis
Donte Bernard
Chapter 9. A Mixed-Methods Study of Impostor Phenomenon in a Hispanic-Serving Institution
Olympia Caudillo and Rodolfo Rincones
Chapter 10. Impostor Phenomenon in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Devasmita Chakraverty
Chapter 11. Impostor Phenomenon in Medicine
Devasmita Chakraverty
Part III: Interventions and Trends
Chapter 12. Critical Issues of the Impostor Phenomenon and Interventions for Historically Marginalized People
Lisa Orbe-Austin and Richard Orbe-Austin
Chapter 13. An Evolving Analysis of Impostor Syndrome From 1983 to the Present: Implications for Clinicians and Researchers
Valerie Young
Chapter 14. Research-Based Strategies for Combatting the Impostor Phenomenon in Higher Education
Danielle Rosenscruggs and Laura Schram
Chapter 15. Trends Within the Impostor Phenomenon Literature
Steven Stone-Sabali
Index
About the Editor
Kevin Cokley, PhD, is the University Diversity and Social Transformation professor and professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, where he serves as Associate Chair of Diversity Initiatives for the Department of Psychology. He studies the psychosocial experiences of African American students and students of color and is currently exploring the impostor phenomenon and its relationship to mental health and academic outcomes. He is the author of the 2014 book The Myth of Black Anti-Intellectualism and editor of the 2021 book Making Black Lives Matter: Confronting Anti-Black Racism. Visit his websiteopens in new window.
In a groundbreaking exploration of the impostor phenomenon, Cokley’s curated volume is nothing short of a scholarly triumph. Drawing on over 4 decades of research, Cokley’s piercing analysis and collaboration with scholars redefine the landscape of research in this area, charting a compelling course that not only reviews but significantly expands our understanding. By delving into underexplored areas such as the context in which the impostor phenomenon develops, the conditions under which it manifests, and the practical implications of these findings, this collection becomes a must-read resource for psychologists, educators, and anyone intrigued by the science behind feeling like a fraud or adopting a “fake it until you make it” mentality. This work signals the future of impostor phenomenon research, providing a comprehensive road map for navigating the complexities of self-doubt and authenticity.
—Helen A. Neville, PhD, Professor, Educational Psychology and African American Studies, and President, Society of Counseling Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
