Scale Analysis

The Impostorism Scale is a psychometric tool used to assess feelings of inadequacy and fraud experienced by individuals who believe they do not deserve their successes and who worry that others will discover their supposed incompetence.
The scale includes a series of statements that the individual is asked to evaluate based on how often they experience these feelings. These statements refer to fears of being exposed as inadequate, concerns about performance, attributing successes to external factors, and comparisons with others that lead to negative emotions.
The analysis of responses allows for an understanding of the extent to which an individual feels like an “impostor” despite their achievements and can be used to guide psychological support and intervention.

Purpose of the Scale

The purpose of this scale is to identify and measure the feelings of inadequacy and fraud experienced by individuals who, despite their successes and accomplishments, feel undeserving of the recognition and praise they receive.
By assessing these feelings, the scale helps to understand the psychological state of people struggling with impostor syndrome. This enables psychologists and other mental health professionals to develop targeted interventions and support strategies to strengthen self-confidence and self-esteem, helping individuals to recognize and appreciate their real abilities and achievements.

Scale Calibration

The IS-7 consists of 7 items, which are rated as follows:
1 = Not at all characteristic of me
2 = Slightly characteristic of me
3 = Moderately characteristic of me
4 = Very characteristic of me
5 = Extremely characteristic of me

References

Leary, M. R., Patton, K., Orlando, A., & Funk, W. W. (2000). The impostor phenomenon: Self-perceptions, reflected appraisals, and interpersonal strategies. Journal of Personality, 68, 725–756.