Hello! Welcome to ~~Imposter~~ - a simulator designed to raise awareness of the Imposter Phenomenon and empower you to fight past it.
What is your name? (input-box:2bind $name,"=XX=",1)
[[Start!]]
This project was created by <a style="color:lightblue;" href="https://www.zackpakin.com">Zack Pakin</a> for <a style="color:lightblue;" href="https://sa.ucla.edu/ro/Public/SOC/Results/ClassDetail?term_cd=22W&subj_area_cd=COM%20SCI&crs_catlg_no=0019%20%20%20%20&class_id=187057200&class_no=%20001%20%20">UCLA COM SCI 19: From Impossible to I'm Possible: Analysis of Impostor Phenomenon.</a>
Welcome, $name! To begin, you will be given a 20 question survey regarding your current experience with the Imposter Phenomenon. Optionally, you can skip this step.
[[To the survey!]]
[[Skip this step]]Answer the following questions on a scale of 1-5.
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1.Not At All True
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2.Rarely True
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3.Sometimes True
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4.Often True
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5.Always True
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#Question 1
I have often succeeded on a test or task even though I was afraid that I would not do well before I undertook the task. (dropdown: 2bind $q1," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 2
I can give the impression that I am more competent than I actually am. (dropdown: 2bind $q2," ", "1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 3
I avoid evaluations if possible and have a dread of others evaluating me. (dropdown: 2bind $q3," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 4
When people praise me for something I’ve accomplished, I’m afraid I won’t be able to live up to their expectations of me in the future. (dropdown: 2bind $q4," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 5
I sometimes think I obtained my present position or gained my present success because I happened to be in the right place at the right time or knew the right people. (dropdown: 2bind $q5," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 6
I’m afraid people important to me may find out that I’m not as capable as they think I am. (dropdown: 2bind $q6," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 7
I tend to remember the incidents in which I have not done my best more than those times I have done my best. (dropdown: 2bind $q7," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 8
I rarely do a project or task as well as I’d like to do it. (dropdown: 2bind $q8," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 9
Sometimes I feel or believe that my success in my life or in my job has been the result of some kind of error. (dropdown: 2bind $q9," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 10
It’s hard for me to accept compliments or praise about my intelligence or
accomplishments. (dropdown: 2bind $q10," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 11
At times, I feel my success has been due to some kind of luck. (dropdown: 2bind $q11," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 12
I’m disappointed at times in my present accomplishments and think I should have accomplished much more. (dropdown: 2bind $q12," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 13
Sometimes I’m afraid others will discover how much knowledge or ability I really lack. (dropdown: 2bind $q13," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 14
I’m often afraid that I may fail at a new assignment or undertaking even though I generally do well at what I attempt. (dropdown: 2bind $q14," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 15
When I’ve succeeded at something and received recognition for my
accomplishments, I have doubts that I can keep repeating that success. (dropdown: 2bind $q15," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 16
If I receive a great deal of praise and recognition for something I’ve accomplished, I tend to discount the importance of what I’ve done. (dropdown: 2bind $q16," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 17
I often compare my ability to those around me and think they may be more
intelligent than I am. (dropdown: 2bind $q17," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 18
I often worry about not succeeding with a project or examination, even though others around me have considerable confidence that I will do well. (dropdown: 2bind $q18," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 19
If I’m going to receive a promotion or gain recognition of some kind, I hesitate to tell others until it is an accomplished fact. (dropdown: 2bind $q19," ","1","2","3","4","5")
#Question 20
I feel bad and discouraged if I’m not “the best” or at least “very special” in situations that involve achievement. (dropdown: 2bind $q20," ","1","2","3","4","5")
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You will not be able to edit your answers after leaving this page. Please ensure you have answered every question.
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Please wait up to 10 seconds after clicking below!
[[Total the results]]
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(text-size:0.5)[This survey was sourced from The Impostor Phenomenon: When Success Makes You Feel Like A Fake (pp. 20-22), by P.R. Clance, 1985,
Toronto: Bantam Books. Copyright 1985 by Pauline Rose Clance, Ph.D., ABPP.
Reproduced under educational fair use.]How would you self-define your experience with the Imposter Phenomenon (IP)?(dropdown: 2bind $selfReport," ","I rarely experience IP","I sometimes experience IP","I frequently experience IP","I always experience IP")
No matter what, you can always work through your feelings of Imposter Phenomenon!
[[Learn How]]|invalid)[You did not answer all the questions on the previous page. Please go back and start again.]
|l1)[According to your responses, you have few characteristics of the Imposter Phenomenon]
|l2)[According to your responses, you have moderate feelings of the Imposter Phenomenon]
|l3)[According to your responses, you frequently experience feelings of the Imposter Phenomenon]
|l4)[According to your responses, you have intense feelings of Imposter Phenomenon]
|valid)[{(set: $q1 to (num: $q1))
(set: $q2 to (num: $q2))
(set: $q3 to (num: $q3))
(set: $q4 to (num: $q4))
(set: $q5 to (num: $q5))
(set: $q6 to (num: $q6))
(set: $q7 to (num: $q7))
(set: $q8 to (num: $q8))
(set: $q9 to (num: $q9))
(set: $q10 to (num: $q10))
(set: $q11 to (num: $q11))
(set: $q12 to (num: $q12))
(set: $q13 to (num: $q13))
(set: $q14 to (num: $q14))
(set: $q15 to (num: $q15))
(set: $q16 to (num: $q16))
(set: $q17 to (num: $q17))
(set: $q18 to (num: $q18))
(set: $q19 to (num: $q19))
(set: $q20 to (num: $q20))
(set: $total to ($q1 + $q2 + $q3 + $q4 + $q5 + $q6 + $q7 + $q8 + $q9 + $q10 + $q11 + $q12 + $q13 + $q14 + $q15 + $q16 + $q17 + $q18 + $q19 + $q20)) }
Your total score: $total
(if:($total < 41))[(show:?l1)]
(if:($total < 61) and ($total > 40))[(show:?l2)]
(if:($total < 81) and ($total > 60))[(show:?l3)]
(if:($total > 80))[(show:?l4)]
No matter your result, you can work through your feelings of Imposter Phenomenon!
[[Learn How]]
]
(if:$q1 is " " or $q2 is " " or $q3 is " " or $q4 is " " or $q5 is " " or $q6 is " " or $q7 is " " or $q8 is " " or $q9 is " " or $q10 is " " or $q11 is " " or $q12 is " " or $q13 is " " or $q14 is " " or $q15 is " " or $q16 is " " or $q17 is " " or $q18 is " " or $q19 is " " or $q20 is " ")[(show:?invalid)]
(else:)[(show:?valid)]
Let us first understand what the Imposter Phenomenon is.
[[What is it?]]Imposter Phenomenon is the false feeling of inferiority and reluctance to take pride in one's achievements.
Everyone can experience IP in different ways, but feeling like an imposter generally has a negative impact on mental health, thereby preventing one from achieving their true potential.
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(link-reveal:"More about the author's experience with IP")[=
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Hi, my name is Zack and I am a 3rd year computer science student at UCLA. I have been experiencing the Imposter Phenomenon since I started back in Fall 2019.
(t8n: "fade")+(t8n-time:4s)[
By moving to a new school and not knowing anyone, I found it easy to compare myself to other students and feel underqualified.]
(t8n: "fade")+(t8n-time:8s)[
In my classes, I found that many students would ask intuitive and thought-provoking questions at times when I was barely understanding the material.]
(t8n: "fade")+(t8n-time:12s)[
As time went on, I became complacent and ignored these feelings, but I realized that pretending you don't experience IP just perpetuates the problem.]
(t8n: "fade")+(t8n-time:16s)[
I began to actively work towards fighting my Imposter feelings and put this resource together for anyone feeling a similar way.
]
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[[How can one fight these imposter feelings?]]Below are some activities you can do to help you fight Imposter feelings.
[[Affirmations Activity]]
[[Power Posing]]
[[Topics to Think About]]
[[Let's move on]]Fill in the 9 blank boxes below with statements of who you are.
Use your imagination! This activity is intended to ask you to think about your core identities and passions.
Example: I am "surrounded by a loving family" or I am "strong and independent"
1. I am (input-box:2bind $af1,"=XXX=",1)
2. I am (input-box:2bind $af2,"=XXX=",1)
3. I am (input-box:2bind $af3,"=XXX=",1)
4. I am (input-box:2bind $af4,"=XXX=",1)
5. I am (input-box:2bind $af5,"=XXX=",1)
6. I am (input-box:2bind $af6,"=XXX=",1)
7. I am (input-box:2bind $af7,"=XXX=",1)
8. I am (input-box:2bind $af8,"=XXX=",1)
9. I am (input-box:2bind $af9,"=XXX=",1)
''Please ensure all of the boxes contain a response.''
[[I've finished!]]According to Amy Cuddy's research, your body position correlates to your feelings of self.
Low-Power poses increase the production of cortisol (stress hormone) and reduces the production of testosterone (coorelated with self-confidence & willingness to take risk).
High-Power poses do the opposite! They are correlated to less stress and more self-confidence.
[[Let's practice power posing]]
(text-size:0.5)[Carney, D. R., Cuddy, A. J. C., & Yap, A. J. (2010). Power Posing: Brief Nonverbal Displays Affect Neuroendocrine Levels and Risk Tolerance. Psychological Science, 21(10), 1363–1368. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797610383437 ]Imposter Phenomenon is not a feeling everyone experiences in the same way.
People face Imposter Phenomenon in varying circumstances and manuevuer through it differently.
(t8n-time:2s)+(link:"So what should I do?")[=
* Think about your identity and how it shapes your perspectives and experiences.
* Think about individuals (whether real or fake) that you idolize and why.
* Think back to obstacles you have overcome.
* Think about how vulnerablity decreases feelings of IP for you and others.
* Think to the future and how capable you are of achieving your goals.
[[Return to Activities->How can one fight these imposter feelings?]]#More Resources
<a style="color:lightblue;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMc">Amy Cuddy's TED Talk | Power Posing & Body Language</a>
<a style="color:lightblue;" href="https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability?language=en">Berne Brown's Ted Talk | Vulnerability</a>
[[To finish up...]]If you feel comfortable doing so, read the following I AM Poem out loud to yourself.
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(link-reveal:"Reveal my poem")[=
---
I am $name.
I am $af1.
I am $af2.
I am $af3.
I am $af4.
I am $af5.
I am $af6.
I am $af7.
I am $af8.
I am $af9.
Your identity encompasses so much more than a 10 line poem can present, but always remember what identities and experiences shape the unique person that is you.
[[Return to Activities->How can one fight these imposter feelings?]]Below are examples of Low-Power poses. Check in on your body position throughout the day and avoid positioning yourself like this:
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/xDfXMka.jpg" alt="Low Power Pose 1" width="250" height="auto">
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/CfHYbnu.jpg" alt="Low Power Pose 2" width="250" height="auto">
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/oiA7qDQ.jpg" alt="Low Power Pose 3" width="250" height="auto">
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Although you can't always pose yourself in this way, below are a few High-Power poses:
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/VsVs2Jt.jpg" alt="High Power Pose 1" width="250" height="auto">
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/YJ1DrXz.jpg" alt="High Power Pose 2" width="250" height="auto">
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/lL4Mm8w.jpg" alt="High Power Pose 3" width="250" height="auto">
|==|
(link:"The author's experience with power posing")[=
(t8n: "fade")+(t8n-time:4s)[The moment I learned about power posing, I noticed myself in a Low-Power pose; I was slouching in front of my computer screen with my arms crossed. After quickly adjusting my posture in that moment, I began to understand the psysiological changes one's body experiences when opening up to a more powerful pose. Now, if I am stressed out, I try to find a private space where I can do a High-Power pose for a short period of time.]
[[Tell me more.->Now what?]]Cuddy's research suggested that before any stressful task, such as an interview or exam, you should adopt a High-Power pose for two minutes.
Additionally, regardless of stress, adopting a High-Power pose a few times throughout your day will likely help reduce some immediate IP thoughts you are having.
[[Let's practice]]Pick a power pose below and do your best to hold this position for two minutes. When you are ready, click below to continue!
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/VsVs2Jt.jpg" alt="High Power Pose 1" width="250" height="auto">
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/YJ1DrXz.jpg" alt="High Power Pose 2" width="250" height="auto">
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/lL4Mm8w.jpg" alt="High Power Pose 3" width="250" height="auto">
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[[Start the clock!]]=|=
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/VsVs2Jt.jpg" alt="High Power Pose 1" width="250" height="auto">
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/YJ1DrXz.jpg" alt="High Power Pose 2" width="250" height="auto">
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/lL4Mm8w.jpg" alt="High Power Pose 3" width="250" height="auto">
|==|
(set: $seconds_left to 120)
(live:1s)[#Time remaining: $seconds_left
{(if:$seconds_left is not 0)[(set: $seconds_left to $seconds_left - 1)]
(else:)[#Good job!]
}
]
[[Return to Activities->How can one fight these imposter feelings?]]#Thank you.
I hope that through this simulator, you have learned a little more about the Imposter Phenomenon and feel empowered to fight against it.
(if:(history: where its name contains "I've finished!")'s length >= 1)[Remember,
You are $name.
You are $af1.
You are $af2.
You are $af3.
You are $af4.
You are $af5.
You are $af6.
You are $af7.
You are $af8.
You are $af9.]
[[References & Acknowledgements]]Thank you to Professor Kim, Instructor Markeith Royster, and Instructor Monica Hanna for putting together the Imposter Phenomenon seminar.
This simulator was based on resources provided in the course, under Educational Fair Use.