Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

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?
Have you ever felt like you didn’t deserve your success or achievements?
What kinds of advice do you expect from a video about combating imposter syndrome?

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

Famous examples and what imposter syndrome is (00:00 – 01:43)

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1. What did Maya Angelou doubt, even after major success?

That writing books is important
That universities should exist
That she had really earned her accomplishments
That awards are given fairly

2. What did Albert Einstein call himself when describing his feelings?

A perfectionist
An “involuntary swindler”
A genius
A harsh critic

3. Who was the first to study this unwarranted sense of insecurity?

Psychologist Pauline Rose Clance
Maya Angelou
Elizabeth Cox
Suzanne Imes

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

How universal it is and why the feelings happen (01:43 – 02:51)

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1. According to the video, imposter syndrome is NOT necessarily tied to which of the following?

Working hard at school
Depression, anxiety, or self-esteem
Having peers
Learning new skills

2. What is “pluralistic ignorance” in this context?

Doubting ourselves privately but thinking we are alone because others don’t voice doubts
Believing only experts should speak
Copying other people’s ideas
Not knowing the meaning of difficult words

3. What can intense feelings of imposterism prevent people from doing?

Sharing their great ideas or applying for jobs and programs where they’d excel
Getting positive feedback
Making any friends at work
Learning from mentors

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

How to combat it: talk, collect feedback, and build confidence (02:51 – 04:19)

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

To work alone until you feel confident
To ignore all feedback
To aim for a higher threshold of accomplishment
To talk about it

2. What is one strategy mentioned to combat your own imposter syndrome?

Avoiding mentors
Keeping your doubts secret
Collecting and revisiting positive feedback
Only comparing yourself to the best people

3. In the example of the scientist in the lab, what did she eventually realize caused most problems?

Her lack of intelligence
Equipment failure
Bad luck that cannot be explained
Her coworkers

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

Transcript will load here…

1. Which statement best describes imposter syndrome as presented in the video?

A rare mental disease that affects only a few top performers
A universal feeling of fraudulence that many people experience across groups
A condition always caused by anxiety and low self-esteem
A problem only faced by students with low grades

2. Why might highly skilled or accomplished people feel like imposters?

They always fail at difficult tasks
They do not care about their work
They never receive opportunities
They think others are just as skilled, so they doubt they deserve accolades

3. What is one reason talking about imposter feelings can help?

It proves your fears are correct
It helps you learn others (mentors/peers) have felt it too, which can relieve the feelings
It makes you stop working
It guarantees immediate promotion

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 like Angelou and Einstein can still feel like frauds?
Have you ever experienced pluralistic ignorance (thinking you were the only one who doubted yourself)? What happened?
What are some “open conversations” you could have at school or work that might reduce imposter feelings?
Which strategy seems most helpful to you—talking about it, collecting positive feedback, or something else? Why?