Imposters: The psychology of pretending to be someone you're not: Matthew Hornsey at TEDxUQ

Summary

The script explores the phenomenon of impostorism through the story of Helen Demidenko, who falsely claimed Ukrainian heritage to gain literary acclaim. It delves into the psychology behind imposters, their motives, and societal reactions, highlighting the trust people place in others' identities and the anxiety some feel about their own perceived inadequacies, known as imposter syndrome.

Takeaways

• 📚 The story of Helen Demidenko (real name Helen Darville) is a case of impostorism where she falsely claimed Ukrainian heritage and wrote a novel based on fabricated experiences.
• 🎭 Impostors often manage to maintain their deception for extended periods, sometimes despite clear evidence to the contrary, a phenomenon referred to as 'imposter blindness'.
• 👤 The motives for impostorism vary widely, including seeking fame, escaping a troubled past, or experiencing the thrill of living a different identity.
• 🏆 Some impostors are admired for their audacity and ability to overcome societal barriers, as seen in films based on their stories.
• 🌐 The concept of impostorism extends beyond outright deception to include those who conceal aspects of their identity to avoid persecution or judgment.
• 🤔 The psychological impact of living a double life can be detrimental to well-being and self-esteem, as those with concealable stigmas often fare worse.
• 🎬 Society's fascination with impostors can stem from a romanticized view of their actions and the exposure of societal vanities and pretensions.
• 👮‍♂️ Genuine group members often feel threatened by impostors, as they can undermine the group's cohesion and clear boundaries.
• 🔍 Accusations of impostorism can be used as a tool for control or bullying, highlighting the subjective nature of identity and belonging.
• 🤯 The imposter phenomenon, or impostor syndrome, affects many successful individuals who cannot internalize their achievements and fear being exposed as frauds.
• 💭 The idea of an authentic self becomes increasingly elusive as people become more adept at presenting a positive image to the world, making us all, in a way, potential impostors.

Q & A

Who is Helen Demidenko and what made her famous?

Helen Demidenko, also known as Helen Darville, is an author who became famous for writing the novel 'The Hand That Signed the Paper,' which won Australia's top literary award. She claimed the novel was based on conversations with her Ukrainian relatives about their World War II experiences.

What was the controversy surrounding Helen Demidenko's identity?

The controversy arose when it was revealed that Helen Demidenko was actually Helen Darville and that her Ukrainian heritage was completely fabricated, making her an imposter in the literary world.

What is 'imposter blindness' as mentioned in the script?

'Imposter blindness' refers to the phenomenon where imposters are able to maintain their false identities for extended periods despite evidence that suggests otherwise, as seen in the case of Helen Darville.

Can you provide an example of 'imposter blindness' from the script?

An example of 'imposter blindness' is the case of Billy Tipton, a successful jazz musician who lived as a man for decades and was only discovered to be a woman after his death, despite having had four wives.

What is the psychological phenomenon known as imposter syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a 'fraud,' despite evidence of their competence and success.

How does the script describe the public's fascination with imposters?

The script describes the public's fascination with imposters as a fond fascination, often viewing them as romantic or attractive figures who highlight societal vanities and pretensions, and who take advantage of superficial characteristics.

What are some of the motives for impostorism mentioned in the script?

The script mentions several motives for impostorism, including escapism from a flawed past, the thrill of adventure, seeking the support and solidarity of a close-knit community, and escaping persecution.

How does the script address the psychological consequences of living a double life?

The script discusses a study that shows individuals with concealable stigmas, who live a double life, fare worse in terms of well-being and self-esteem compared to those with visible stigmas.

What is the 'Captain of Köpenick' story mentioned in the script?

The 'Captain of Köpenick' is a story about Wilhelm Voigt, a poor cobbler and petty thief who, after finding a discarded Prussian Guard captain's uniform, impersonated a captain and led a squad of soldiers in a fabricated mission, highlighting the power of appearances and authority.

What does the script suggest about the difficulty of overcoming imposter anxiety?

The script suggests that overcoming imposter anxiety is difficult because success and praise can deepen the anxiety by widening the gap between the individual's self-image and the world's perception of them as more talented than they believe themselves to be.

What is the final outcome for Helen Darville mentioned in the script?

After her literary imposterism was exposed and her subsequent plagiarism scandal, Helen Darville gave up writing, enrolled in a law degree, graduated, and was last known to be working as a judge's assistant, having faded from public life.