What is imposter syndrome?

Impostor syndrome is felt by 53% of female engineers according to the association “Elles Bougent”. Decryption with Sarah Lemoine.

53% of women engineers experience imposter syndrome. This is what the new survey by the association “Elles Bougent” reveals, whose aim is to attract more women into scientific careers.

franceinfo: What are we talking about when we talk about this imposture syndrome?

Sarah Lemoine: It is a psychological mechanism which was theorized at the end of the 1970s by two American psychologists. It applies to people who repeatedly think that they are not legitimate, particularly in their professional activity, despite obvious successes.

Among the characteristic traits, they tend not to take credit for their successes. “They say they were lucky or that their boss was nice,” explains coach Céline Roegiers, who wrote her DESS thesis on this imposture syndrome.

In the end, she says, these people have the deep conviction that they are deceiving those around them, and that they will be unmasked sooner or later. When it is intense, this feeling can be debilitating. Employees self-sabotage and stay in a position below their skills. Doubt and devaluation are permanent.

A little more than half of women engineers report feeling this syndrome. And even 63% of students who are moving towards this profession?

According to the president of the “Elles Bougent” association, Valérie Brusseau, the causes of the symptom of imposture can take root in childhood, at school, during studies, and in professional life. In the case of women engineers, she highlights the particular weight of gender stereotypes that weigh on their shoulders. Stereotypes according to which girls are more suited to literary rather than scientific careers.

During their studies, they find themselves in the minority compared to boys, and 82% say they have suffered prejudice about their ability in maths and physics. They also lack inspiring female role models. Valérie Brusseau, for example, who is today director of research and development at an automobile equipment manufacturer, had her first female manager only at the age of 45. She claims to have also worked harder than men, at the start of her career, to showcase her skills.