The Impostor Phenomenon Psychological Research, Theory,
and Interventions
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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 underex-
plored areas such as the context in which the impostor phenom-
enon 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 authentic-
ity.
—Helen A. Neville, PhD, Professor, Educational Psychology and
African American Studies, and President, Society of Counseling
Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Psychological Research, Theory,
and Interventions
Edited by
KEVIN COKLEY
Copyright © 2024 by the American Psychological Association. All rights reserved. Except as
permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be
reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to, the pro-
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written permission of the publisher.
The opinions and statements published are the responsibility of the authors, and such opin-
ions and statements do not necessarily represent the policies of the American Psychological
Association.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Cokley, Kevin O. (Kevin O’Neal), 1969- editor.
Title: The impostor phenomenon : psychological research, theory, and
interventions / edited by Kevin Cokley.
Description: Washington, DC : American Psychological Association, [2024] |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2023044301 (print) | LCCN 2023044302 (ebook) | ISBN
9781433841439 (paperback) | ISBN 9781433841446 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Imposter phenomenon. | BISAC: PSYCHOLOGY / Social
Psychology | SOCIAL SCIENCE / Women’s Studies
Classification: LCC BF637.I46 I47 2024 (print) | LCC BF637.I46 (ebook) |
DDC 158.1--dc23/eng/20231211
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023044301
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023044302
https://doi.org/10.1037/0000397-000
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes,
whose work has inspired me and countless numbers
of students, researchers, and thought leaders.
Contents
Contributors ix
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction: The Importance of Empirical Research on the
Impostor Phenomenon 3
Kevin Cokley
I. CONCEPTUAL, THEORETICAL, AND METHODOLOGICAL
FOUNDATIONS 15
1. Impostor Phenomenon: Origins and Treatment 17
Pauline Clance and Suzann Lawry
2. An Overview of the Impostor Phenomenon: Definitional and
Theoretical Considerations 45
Kevin Cokley, Keoshia Harris, Shaina Hall, and Myya Singletary
3. The Impostor Phenomenon and Mental Health 61
Ramya Garba, Carly Coleman, and Tia Kelley
4. Impostor Phenomenon and Burnout 81
Lizette Ojeda
5. The Impostor Phenomenon’s Relation to Achievement
at School and Work 111
Lauren A. Blondeau
6. Measurement Issues Related to the Impostor Phenomenon 131
Hwa Young Lee, Cheryl B. Anderson, Kevin Cokley, and Shine Chang
vii
viii • Contents
II. POPULATIONS AND CONTEXTS 159
7. Gender and the Impostor Phenomenon 161
Kadie R. Rackley, Taylor Payne, Ashley Bennett, and Germine H. Awad
8. Racism and the Impostor Phenomenon Among African
American Students: A Socioecological Analysis 181
Donte Bernard
9. A Mixed-Methods Study of Impostor Phenomenon
in a Hispanic-Serving Institution 203
Olympia Caudillo and Rodolfo Rincones
10. Impostor Phenomenon in Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics 221
Devasmita Chakraverty
11. Impostor Phenomenon in Medicine 245
Devasmita Chakraverty
III. INTERVENTIONS AND TRENDS 267
12. Critical Issues of the Impostor Phenomenon and
Interventions for Historically Marginalized People 269
Lisa Orbé-Austin and Richard Orbé-Austin
13. An Evolving Analysis of Impostor Syndrome From 1983 to
the Present: Implications for Clinicians and Researchers 285
Valerie Young
14. Research-Based Strategies for Combating the Impostor
Phenomenon in Higher Education 309
Danielle Rosenscruggs and Laura Schram
15. Trends Within the Impostor Phenomenon Literature 341
Steven Stone-Sabali
Index 363
About the Editor 385
Contributors
Cheryl B. Anderson, PhD, Division of Cancer Prevention & Population
Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston,
TX, United States
Germine H. Awad, PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Ashley Bennett, PhD, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United
States
Donte Bernard, PhD, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of
Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
Lauren A. Blondeau, PhD, Department of Statistics and Data Science, The
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Olympia Caudillo, EdD, The Graduate School, The University of Texas at
El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
Devasmita Chakraverty, PhD, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad,
Ahmedabad, India
Shine Chang, PhD, Division of Cancer Prevention & Population Sciences and
the Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson
Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
Pauline Clance, PhD, Professor Emerita, Department of Psychology, Georgia
State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
Kevin Cokley, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, MI, United States
ix
x • Contributors
Carly Coleman, BA, Department of Educational Psychology, The University
of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Ramya Garba, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Norton College of Medicine,
State University of New York, New York, NY, United States
Shaina Hall, BS, Department of Educational Psychology, The University of
Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Keoshia Harris, MA, Department of Educational Psychology, The University
of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Tia Kelley, BA, Department of Educational Psychology, The University of
Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Suzann Lawry, PhD, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
Hwa Young Lee, PhD, Division of Cancer Prevention & Population Sciences,
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX,
United States
Lizette Ojeda, PhD, Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M
University, College Station, TX, United States
Lisa Orbé-Austin, PhD, Dynamic Transitions Psychological Consulting, New
York, NY, United States
Richard Orbé-Austin, PhD, Dynamic Transitions Psychological Consulting,
New York, NY, United States
Taylor Payne, PhD, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX,
United States
Kadie R. Rackley, PhD, St. Edwards University, Austin, TX, United States
Rodolfo Rincones, PhD, Department of Educational Leadership and
Foundations, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
Danielle Rosenscruggs, MS, Department of Psychology, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Laura Schram, PhD, Rackham Graduate School, University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, MI, United States
Myya Singletary, MA, Department of Educational Psychology, The University
of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Steven Stone-Sabali, MEd, PhD, Department of Educational Studies, The
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
Valerie Young, EdD, Impostor Syndrome Institute, South Hadley, MA,
United States
Acknowledgments
It is exciting to be able to offer the first research-focused book on the impos-
tor phenomenon. Editing this book has been an incredibly rewarding experi-
ence. When APA Publishing initially approached me about writing a book, I
immediately thought that an edited book would offer the most comprehensive
coverage of the impostor phenomenon. I was aware of the many researchers,
scholars, and thought leaders who were doing outstanding work on the impos-
tor phenomenon, and I believed their contributions and insights needed to be
highlighted in the book. I want to thank the chapter authors for giving so gra-
ciously of their time and efforts. Without them this book would not be possible.
I want to thank all of my students, past and present, who have helped shape my
thinking about the impostor phenomenon.
xi
