The Science of "Fraudulence": Understanding the Link Between Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome

As a clinician, I often see high-achieving clients who suffer from a persistent sense of intellectual phoniness. A recent study (published in the Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy) provides a data-backed explanation for why this happens.

The research identifies Self-Oriented and Socially Prescribed Perfectionism as the two greatest predictors of Imposter Syndrome.

My Takeaway: We often treat Imposter Syndrome as a standalone "confidence issue." However, this data suggests it is actually a perfectionism issue. To help clients find relief, we must address the underlying belief that "perfection is the price of admission" for belonging and success.

I recently did a deep dive into how these perfectionism types manifest in high achievers over at Thrival Therapy. www.thrivaltherapy.com/blog/