Social Biases
Impostor phenomenon
Discounting competence and fearing exposure as a fraud.
What Is Impostor phenomenon?
Impostor phenomenon is a thinking trap where discounting competence and fearing exposure as a fraud.
How It Tricks You
It can turn partial social evidence into a confident judgment about people, motives, or groups.
Real-World Example
A capable employee sees praise as luck and fears being exposed.
Seen Online As
- The deal is making the decision feel smarter than it is.
- The payment feels small enough not to count.
- I am judging value before checking whether I need it.
What To Ask Instead
What evidence shows I belong here?
Related Thinking Traps
Common Situations
Quick FAQ
What is Impostor phenomenon?
Discounting competence and fearing exposure as a fraud.
What is an example of Impostor phenomenon?
A capable employee sees praise as luck and fears being exposed.
How do I spot Impostor phenomenon?
What evidence shows I belong here?