Despite its initial focus on women, Imposter Syndrome affects individuals across all genders, professions, and demographics.
While Clance and Imes' initial study primarily focused on women, subsequent research has demonstrated that Imposter Syndrome is a widespread experience, affecting men and women, students and professionals, across various ethnic groups and socio-economic backgrounds. Studies have shown its presence in fields ranging from academia and healthcare to technology and creative arts. The universality of this experience suggests it is less about inherent gender differences and more about the psychological pressures of achievement, self-perception, and societal expectations. Research published in the *International Journal of Behavioral Science* and countless popular science articles confirm that while initial observations highlighted it in women, the underlying psychological mechanisms – such as fear of failure, perfectionism, and attributing success to external factors – are not gender-specific. It's now understood as a human tendency that can manifest whenever individuals feel out of their depth or under intense scrutiny, regardless of their actual capabilities.