Impostor Phenomenon 1978

In 1978, psychologists, Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes noticed a pattern of “intellectual fraudism” in high achieving women where, despite being good on paper, they did not feel good enough, and feared that they would be found out: “despite outstanding academic and professional accomplishments, women who experience the imposter phenomenon persist in believing that they are really not bright and have fooled anyone who thinks otherwise.” These women tended to internal failures and setbacks, and failed to take responsibility for successes, instead attributing them to luck or to other people’s involvement.  It is a fascinating read, and now is understood to affect up to 82% of us, across genders, ages and ethnic backgrounds.