What Is Imposter Syndrome | Domain Clout

Imposter syndrome is a psychological experience where individuals doubt their intellectual and professional abilities, feeling like frauds despite external evidence of their competence, as discussed in the work of Carol Dweck and Angela Duckworth. It is characterized by persistent self-doubt, fear of being exposed, and a sense of undeserved success. Imposter syndrome affects both men and women, although women are more likely to report feelings of imposter syndrome. It reportedly affects high-achieving individuals, such as those in academia and tech, where the pressure to perform is intense and the fear of failure is high, as seen in the work of Sheryl Sandberg and Brené Brown.