Impostor syndrome · Interview with Lídia Algar

What this video is about

In this video, part of the interview section of Elemental Science, psychologist Lídia Algar talks about impostor syndrome. She defines it as the feeling of being a fraud and the inability to internalise one’s own achievements, accompanied by the fear that others will “find out” that one is not so competent. She comments that it has been researched since 1978, that it was initially studied mainly in women and later observed in both sexes, and that it often appears in the workplace.

Among the factors involved she mentions an external locus of control, the gap between one’s self-image and the image others have of one, perfectionism, self-esteem, family dynamics, self-sabotage and unrealistic expectations. The conversation also addresses the role of social media: it multiplies comparisons with highly filtered role models and works as intermittent reinforcement through “likes”.

Lídia Algar explains that it is rarely the reason for seeking help, although fear of failure or the feeling of not being competent enough do come up in therapy, and she points to the importance of awareness, work on self-image and connection with reality. Finally, it is compared with the Dunning-Kruger effect, and asking for help is recommended when the distress interferes with daily life.

Topics: impostor syndrome, self-image, perfectionism, social media, Dunning-Kruger effect