Imposter Syndrome

Olivia De La O

How Is Everyone Today?

What is imposter syndrome?

"An individual experience of self-perceived intellectual phoniness (fraud).A pattern in which one doubts one's accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud". Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon remain convinced that they are frauds, and do not deserve all they have achieved" 1.

1Clance & Imes, 1978

Who can experience imposter syndrome?

…..anyone, in any setting, can experience imposter

syndromeWomen 1 Men 2

First-Generation College Students 3

Professors 4

1 Clance & Imes, 1978; 2 Beard, 1990; 3 Adsitt et al., 2016; 4 Cook-Sather, 2016

Why Are We Talking About Imposter Syndrome?

As we can see, this is a common phenomenon almost anyone can experience in any situation.

We want to prepare you for this next big step and change in your life.

To let you know that it is ok to talk about how you are really doing and that it's ok to ask for support and guidance. Not just with imposter syndrome, but any challenge.

Those who experience imposter syndrome can:

• Have constant feelings of inadequacies

• Feel an unhealthy pressure to succeed

• Withdraw from evaluative situations

5Montgomery, Peteet, & Weekes, 2015

More Ways to Combat Imposter Syndrome

Create connections on campus

Creating connections with faculty can help you find another avenue for support 6

Explore student organizations on campus to find your support system

Culture or identity-based orgs can be a good place to start 7

Remember that even though college is new, you have a lot of skills to help you navigate your new environment 8

Create clear steps for yourself to follow when you start doubting yourself 7

6 Parkman, 2016; 7 Castellano et al., 2005; 8 Yosso, 2005; 7 Castellano et al., 2005

Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help

Remember, if you feel you need more support than your immediate circle, your campus offers mental health services and

counseling

• LACC Campus Wellness Center:(213) 369-8746 (562) 867-7999

• CSULA Counseling & Psychological Services: (323) 343-3300

• UCLA Counseling & Psychological Services: (310) 825-0768

• USC Counseling & Mental Health: (213) 740-9355

Sources

• 1 Clance, PR., Imes, S. (1978, Fall). The imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention. Psychotherapy Theory, Research and Practice, 15. Retrieved from http://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf

• 2 Beard, J. (1990). Personality correlates of the imposter phenomenon: An exploration of gender differences in critical needs. Unpublished masters’ thesis, Georgia State University, Atlanta.

• 3 Adsitt, Nicole Zervas, Longewell-Grice, Rob., Mullins, Kathleen., Serrata, William. (2016). The First Ones: Three Studies on First-Generation College Students. NACADA Journal (36). Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1135335.pdf.

• 4 Cook-Sather, Alison. (2016). Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education. Creating Brave Spaces within and through Student-Faculty Pedagogical Partnerships, 18. Retrieved from http://repository.brynmawr.edu/tlthe/vol1/iss18/1.

•5 Montgomery, Latrice, Peteet, Bridgette J., Weekes, Jerren C. (2015).Predictors of Imposter Phenomenon among Talented Ethnic Minority Undergraduate Students. The Journal of Negro Education, 84. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bridgette_Peteet/publication/283340253_Predictors_of_Imposter_Phenomenon_among_Talented_Ethnic_Minority_Undergraduate_Students/links/563a1ca108aeed0531dca5b4.pdf

• 6 Parkman, Anna. (2016). The Imposter Phenomenon in Higher Education: Incidence and Impact. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice. 16. 51-60.

• 7 Castellanos, Jeanett. Gloria, Alberta M., Orozco, Veronica. (2005, May). Perceived Educational Barriers, Cultural Fit, Coping Responses, and Psychological Well-Being of Latina Undergraduates. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 27.Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e880/d52e84162c94a6f024d21675e1fac94779e5.pdf

• 8 Yosso, T.J. (2005). Whose culture has capital? Race, Ethnicity, and Education, 8. Retrieved from http://web.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/personnel/fcpd/workshops/documents/Wrk1EditedYossoCulturalWealthSummary.pdf

Sources Continued

• https://www.lacitycollege.edu/Campus-Life/Health-Wellness-Center/Department-Home• http://www.calstatela.edu/studenthealthcen

ter/caps/scheduling-caps-appointment• https://www.counseling.ucla.edu/• https://studenthealth.usc.edu/counseling/