r2i forum

First read this: https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200911/field-guide-the-self-doubter-extra-credit

Susan Pinker is the sister of famed evolutionary psychologist, Steven Pinker.

Then, do the poll. I have set it up to be anonymous poll.

Options I selected:

1. I have experienced it myself and I am a woman.
2. I have experienced it myself and I am a man.
3. I have experienced it myself and I prefer not state my gender.
4. I have observed other women experience it.
5. I have observed other men experience it.
6. There is nothing like "imposter syndrome"!

I do concur with Susan Pinker, in that I have observed successful women have self-doubt. I have had the experience of talking with them and letting them know how much I value their expertise and they have no reason to have such doubt about their capabilities and/or success.

I have also observed men who have self-doubt. But typically, in comparison to the women with self-doubt, the men who expressed self-doubt were not as successful in their life. Thus, left surprised why successful women would doubt themselves.

Just a little tiny experience of my personal observation on this subject. Never thought much about it till I came across this article by Susan Pinker.

Of course, there will be some that will have such self doubt. I myself think of all that I do not know, areas i am weak in but I do not let that hinder my thoughts in areas where I know that I am good at so i will not categorize myself in having imposter syndrome. I find it extremely hard to digest that 93% of female African American college students feel this way. I would take a single such study with a large dose of salt.

I have not experienced it myself. I also do not specifically know a man or a woman who has experienced such. But I also feel that without question there will be certain percentage of people who suffer from such a syndrome (if that is what we choose to call it), so none of the options in the poll match with my view.

My view is that such a syndrome exists but I personally have not experienced it, nor do I know about someone having gone thru it. I may know the person going thru it, but what I do not know if they are going thru it or suffering it. So why do I think that such syndrome exists when I personally do not know anyone. It is because common sense, that some will be suffering such thoughts, insecurities.

I am not certain that I have this syndrome but may be I do. Does that automatically put me into the second category.

I have had a good scholastic record. Right from school to univ, I have never had to study hard. My class mates were always envious of me. Was my success undeserving? No, I have never given it a thought. But, yes, I have always blamed myself for my failures even at the same time shrugging these off. Continued success did not add any anxiety.

I have had lot of thought about it.

Academic success, mild success in sports and lack of hard work; probably got me some likers during the academic days. Employment and consulting also got me a few more likers probably because of my objective analytical abilities and willing to go the extra mile.

Strangely, on second thought probably not, that never got me elated or a swollen head; it is as if I do not care but I do, I do a lot.

What has got me seriously worried is that people I desperately want to like me, apparently do not.

Still that does not fill me with self-doubt, though I do internalise the blame on myself for lacking certain skills. At the same time, I have been too lazy to improve the skills I am deficient in.

You can see from above that I am a confused lot. Do not know what to think and what not to think. One would think that it would be worrisome but strangely, it is not.
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