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What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it? – Elizabeth Cox

TED-Ed

4.9M views 8 years ago

Warm-up Questions

What do you think “imposter syndrome” means?
When might someone feel like they don’t belong, even if they are successful?
What are some healthy ways to “combat” a negative feeling like self-doubt?

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What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it? – Elizabeth Cox

Famous achievers and the idea of imposter syndrome (00:00 – 01:18)

Transcript will load here…

1. What feeling did Maya Angelou struggle with despite her success?

She believed her books were too easy to write
She feared she would never be published
She doubted she had earned her accomplishments
She thought awards were unnecessary

2. How did Albert Einstein describe himself in the transcript?

An “involuntary swindler”
A perfectionist who worked too slowly
A person who enjoyed attention
A student who needed more training

3. According to the speaker, how common are feelings of fraudulence?

They are extremely rare
They are extremely common
They only happen to geniuses
They only happen in universities

What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it? – Elizabeth Cox

Research origins and why it happens (01:18 – 02:43)

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1. What did some of Clance’s undergraduate patients believe about their university acceptance?

It was an admissions error
It was a scholarship requirement
It was based only on interviews
It was guaranteed for everyone

2. What does the speaker say about calling it a “syndrome”?

It makes the experience seem less universal than it really is
It only applies to people with low self-esteem
It shows it is always tied to depression
It proves the experience is a medical disease

3. What is “pluralistic ignorance” in this video?

Not knowing what a word means
Believing only experts can succeed
Doubting yourself privately while thinking you are alone because others don’t voice doubts
Forgetting your achievements over time

What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it? – Elizabeth Cox

How to combat imposter feelings (02:43 – 04:19)

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1. What does the video describe as the “most surefire way” to combat imposter syndrome (so far)?

Working longer hours than others
Changing careers
Avoiding ambitious goals
Talking about it

2. Why do many people with imposter syndrome avoid asking about their performance?

They prefer to compete silently
They are afraid their fears will be confirmed
They don’t want to hear any praise
They think feedback is always dishonest

3. In the example of the scientist, what helped her recognize her competence?

She documented causes of problems and realized many were equipment failures
She moved to a new lab immediately
She stopped documenting problems
She ignored issues until they disappeared

What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it? – Elizabeth Cox

Transcript will load here…

1. Which statement best matches the video’s overall message about imposter syndrome?

Only top performers experience it
It can be solved only by achieving more
It is common and can be reduced through awareness and conversation
It is mainly a rare medical disorder

2. According to the video, what can make imposter feelings harder to dismiss?

We can easily measure exactly how hard our peers work
We rarely know how much others struggle or doubt themselves
Everyone openly discusses their insecurities all the time
Success always creates immediate confidence

3. What is one practical strategy the speaker suggests after you become aware of the phenomenon?

Collecting and revisiting positive feedback
Refusing new opportunities
Never speaking to mentors again
Hiding your doubts to seem confident

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it? – Elizabeth Cox

Why do you think successful people can still feel like they don’t deserve their achievements?
Have you ever experienced something like pluralistic ignorance (thinking you’re the only one who doubts yourself)? What happened?
Which strategy from the video seems most helpful to you: talking about it, learning the term, or collecting positive feedback? Why?
How could schools or workplaces make it easier for people to be frank about doubts and challenges?