College Honors Program

Amplifications and Disruptions of the Impostor Phenomenon (IP) In High-Achieving Women

Date of Creation

5-5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Danuta Bukatko

Abstract

The impostor phenomenon (IP) refers to persistent feelings of fraudulence in academic or professional settings, despite evidence of success. Individuals experiencing IP often doubt their abilities, regardless of external indicators of their accomplishments. Prior research has generated mixed results regarding gender differences; however, many studies suggest that women experience these feelings at higher rates. This data points to systematic barriers, such as underrepresentation of female leadership in corporate settings as a potential driver for feelings of marginalization. This study uses a mixed-methods approach to investigate IP in high-achieving women from various professional settings. By examining developmental trajectories and situational triggers, this study intends to illuminate related constructs and identify common themes in its manifestations. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of IP’s evolution, pivoting the association of IP from inherent traits to external factors. This shift supports two of the study’s hypotheses, suggesting that extrinsic environments hold the power to both amplify and disrupt IP. Finally, this research offers data-driven insights into organizational practices that foster professional well-being in corporate women.

Comments

Reader: Professor Mark Hallahan

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