Imposter phenomenon and basic psychological needs predict self-evaluations of knowledge and ability relative to others

Abstract

Imposter Phenomenon (IP) is a set of psychological experiences characterized by self-doubt, attributing success to external causes, and a constant fear of being perceived as a phony (Clance & Imes, 1978), which may be suggestive of dissatisfaction with basic psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) workers (N = 325, 61% men, 39% women) ranked their self-identified knowledge and abilities relative to others, completed the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) assessing IP, and the Balanced Measure of Psychological Needs (BMPN) assessing competence, autonomy, and relatedness. We hypothesized that IP and dissatisfaction in basic psychological needs would predict underestimation of knowledge and abilities relative to those of other people. However, we found imposter phenomenon and basic psychological needs predicted positive self-evaluations. Inflated self-evaluations may be strategically used to defend against IP feelings and against a sense of “ill-being” associated with thwarted psychological needs. Thus, a positive, confident presentation may be compensatory or defensive in nature. Future research could explore specific defense mechanisms that may mediate this positive self-evaluation of knowledge and ability relative to others as well as the role of styles of perfectionism.