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Validation of the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale
S M Chrisman1, W A Pieper, P R Clance
1Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta 30303-3083, USA.
Journal of Personality Assessment
|December 1, 1995
Summary
The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) and Perceived Fraudulence Scale show similar validity for measuring impostor feelings. Impostor Phenomenon is distinct from depression, anxiety, and self-monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Psychological assessment
- Personality psychology
Background:
- The Impostor Phenomenon (IP) describes individuals who feel like frauds despite external evidence of success.
- Existing measures of IP require further validation and comparison with newer instruments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the psychometric properties of the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) with the Perceived Fraudulence Scale (PFS).
- To provide evidence for the construct and discriminant validity of the CIPS.
Main Methods:
- Correlational analysis comparing CIPS and PFS scores.
- Comparison of CIPS scores with measures of depression, self-esteem, social anxiety, and self-monitoring.
- Principal components analysis (PCA) of CIPS items.
Main Results:
- CIPS and PFS demonstrated high internal consistency and similar correlations with other measures.
- IP, as measured by CIPS, was related to but distinct from depression, self-esteem, social anxiety, and self-monitoring.
- PCA of CIPS yielded three interpretable factors: Fake, Discount, and Luck.
Conclusions:
- The CIPS is a valid and reliable measure of the Impostor Phenomenon.
- The CIPS effectively differentiates IP from related psychological constructs.
- The three-factor structure provides a nuanced understanding of the Impostor Phenomenon.
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