ACHIEVEMENT ORIENTATION AND THE IMPOSTOR PHENOMENON AMONG COLLEGE-STUDENTS

The impostor phenomenon is an intense feeling of intellectual inauthen ticity experienced by many high-achieving individuals (Glance, 1985). The present study investigated the relationships between the impostor phenomenon and (a) family achievement orientation and (b) achievement- related behaviors. Subjects were 127 undergraduates (75 females, 52 ma les). Subjects reported high school grade point average (GPA) and numb er of hours spent on academic endeavors. They then completed the Famil y Environment Scale (Moos and Moos, 1986) and Clance's IP Scare (1985) . As predicted, greater family achievement orientation was associated with higher levels of the impostor phenomenon. Higher levels of the im postor phenomenon were associated with higher GPA and more time spent on academic endeavors for females, but not for males. Future research on family achievement orientation and possible gender differences asso ciated with this phenomenon is indicated. (C) Academic Press, Inc.