title: The imposter phenomenon : an exploration of the need to please

authors: Wells, Debra

subjects: Women Psychology

abstract: The Imposter Phenomenon is an internal sense of intellectual phoniness that results in those who experience it, discounting their abilities by attributing success to such things as luck or charm. 

The topic of this thesis is "The Imposter Phenomenon: An Exploration of the Need to Please" Bussotti (1990) noted in her doctoral thesis that she unexpectedly found a strong association between the need to please and the Imposter Phenomenon and that this warranted further study. This thesis considers the roles Imposters received within their families as children and the impact of the subsequent need to please within the family unit, on the personal development of the Imposter Phenomenon. It however takes the dynamic of the need to please beyond the individual and places it into the wider framework of gender role socialisation.

The theory that I postulate is that the way in which one pleases another is gendered in its understanding and outworking. The seven women who participated in this research were all from homes where traditional male and female roles were modeled. They learnt that to please others meant to behave as a traditionally defined female. Within this definition there was little room for more masculine traits to be integrated within their self-concept. When later in their lives they experienced academic success they attributed this not to their more masculised behaviours such as assertiveness and competitiveness but rather to the more neutral attributions of luck, or faking it. They said they felt like Imposters waiting to be discovered. I have proposed that this duality be named the Margaret Thatcher/Mother Teresa Identity Enigma. 

A brief outline of the thesis chapters is now provided.

Chapter One: Provides a comprehensive literature review of the Imposter Phenomenon research. It covers a definition of the Imposter Phenomenon, why it is considered a problem, characteristics of the Imposter Phenomenon, family dynamics, longevity and maintenance of Imposter dynamics and therapy.

Chapter Two: Imposter Phenomenon - In Other Guises shows how the concept of the Imposter Phenomenon is in fact one of many explanations of the same thing, the fear of failure. It specifically looks at Fear of Failure, Self-Worth Protection Theory, and the Achilles Syndrome.

Chapter Three: Gender Role Development considers three broad theories of gender role development. These are Biological, Social, and Structural theories. It suggests that the social and structural theories are of most use when considering Imposter Dynamics because they recognise that women are shaped to a large extent by the society in which they grow up in.

Chapter Four: Methodology, begins by outlining the paradigm of lnterpretivism used in this research. It also covers procedure, recruitment, participants and instruments utilised. It also addresses limitations of this research.

Chapter Five: Findings presents the voices of the participants themselves in sections that weave together to show the impact of 'needing to please' others on their lives.

Chapter Six: Towards a Social Theory of the Imposter Phenomenon pulls all of the different threads together and suggests a new theory about the impact of the need to please on the development of the Imposter Phenomenon.

text: The imposter phenomenon : an exploration of the need to please The Imposter Phenomenon is an internal sense of intellectual phoniness that results in those who experience it, discounting their abilities by attributing success to such things as luck or charm. 

The topic of this thesis is "The Imposter Phenomenon: An Exploration of the Need to Please" Bussotti (1990) noted in her doctoral thesis that she unexpectedly found a strong association between the need to please and the Imposter Phenomenon and that this warranted further study. This thesis considers the roles Imposters received within their families as children and the impact of the subsequent need to please within the family unit, on the personal development of the Imposter Phenomenon. It however takes the dynamic of the need to please beyond the individual and places it into the wider framework of gender role socialisation.

The theory that I postulate is that the way in which one pleases another is gendered in its understanding and outworking. The seven women who participated in this research were all from homes where traditional male and female roles were modeled. They learnt that to please others meant to behave as a traditionally defined female. Within this definition there was little room for more masculine traits to be integrated within their self-concept. When later in their lives they experienced academic success they attributed this not to their more masculised behaviours such as assertiveness and competitiveness but rather to the more neutral attributions of luck, or faking it. They said they felt like Imposters waiting to be discovered. I have proposed that this duality be named the Margaret Thatcher/Mother Teresa Identity Enigma. 

A brief outline of the thesis chapters is now provided.

Chapter One: Provides a comprehensive literature review of the Imposter Phenomenon research. It covers a definition of the Imposter Phenomenon, why it is considered a problem, characteristics of the Imposter Phenomenon, family dynamics, longevity and maintenance of Imposter dynamics and therapy.

Chapter Two: Imposter Phenomenon - In Other Guises shows how the concept of the Imposter Phenomenon is in fact one of many explanations of the same thing, the fear of failure. It specifically looks at Fear of Failure, Self-Worth Protection Theory, and the Achilles Syndrome.

Chapter Three: Gender Role Development considers three broad theories of gender role development. These are Biological, Social, and Structural theories. It suggests that the social and structural theories are of most use when considering Imposter Dynamics because they recognise that women are shaped to a large extent by the society in which they grow up in.

Chapter Four: Methodology, begins by outlining the paradigm of lnterpretivism used in this research. It also covers procedure, recruitment, participants and instruments utilised. It also addresses limitations of this research.

Chapter Five: Findings presents the voices of the participants themselves in sections that weave together to show the impact of 'needing to please' others on their lives.

Chapter Six: Towards a Social Theory of the Imposter Phenomenon pulls all of the different threads together and suggests a new theory about the impact of the need to please on the development of the Imposter Phenomenon.

year: 1999

title: Effects of New Zealand general elections on stock market returns

authors: Abidin, Sazali Zainal

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: This paper examines stock returns under both National and Labour governments in New Zealand, offering further insight into the existence of the political cycle effect. Findings indicate the existence of a political cycle effect in stock returns, consistent with a number of recent studies performed within both Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand’s right-of-centre National party are found to be associated with significantly higher stock returns during their terms in office than their left-of-centre counterparts, the Labour party. Our findings add to a growing body of literature, particularly outside of the United States, where investors can expect stock returns to vary depending upon the governing political party and can make better investment decisions accordingly.

text: Effects of New Zealand general elections on stock market returns This paper examines stock returns under both National and Labour governments in New Zealand, offering further insight into the existence of the political cycle effect. Findings indicate the existence of a political cycle effect in stock returns, consistent with a number of recent studies performed within both Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand’s right-of-centre National party are found to be associated with significantly higher stock returns during their terms in office than their left-of-centre counterparts, the Labour party. Our findings add to a growing body of literature, particularly outside of the United States, where investors can expect stock returns to vary depending upon the governing political party and can make better investment decisions accordingly.

year: 2010

title: Taonga maioha: (Born this way) The in-depth stories of three Māori, Pasifika, and Indigenous Queens

authors: Tamuera Ariki, Paikea

abstract: Who else has the right to define these, Queens? 

This thesis provides a vital platform for the voices of three Māori, Pasifika, and Indigenous Queens, allowing them to share their transformation stories in their own words. Their experiences and feelings about in their words “being born into the wrong bodies” highlight the complex realities of identity and the struggle for acceptance by others. 

These Queens are unified in their desire for dignity and respect. Dignity and respect underscore a fundamental human right. They seek recognition in all areas of their lives, from healthcare to education, housing, employment, and beyond. By articulating their needs, they advocate for themselves and all marginalized individuals, seeking fairness and understanding within systems that often overlook them. 

Focusing on their lived experiences is crucial for fostering empathy and promoting systemic change, as it brings attention to the disparities they face and the importance of inclusivity in society. By sharing their truths, these Queens contribute to a broader dialogue about identity, respect, and the pursuit of equality for all. 

This thesis aims to illuminate the transformation stories or pūrākau of ten Māori and Pasifika Queens, to foster understanding of their unique experiences. The focus on those who identify as wahine despite being born biologically male allows the reader to highlight the rich diversity of gender identity within these cultures and groups. 

The Māori Ethics Committee granted ethics approval for the study, thereby paving the way for the Queens to tell their stories or pūrākau from their truths and perspectives. 

Taonga Maioha details the in-depth transformation stories of three Māori-Pasifika Queens aged 60 plus, supported by a contextual and cultural analysis of their generation. The voices and stories of the Queens are central to this thesis. These stories are thematically analyzed to unpack the cultural and generational influences impacting their identities. The core identity constructs of whakapapa, tinana, hinengaro, and wairua are used to frame and organize their transformation stories according to their instructions. Above all, this thesis is anchored in their rights to define themselves on the premise that they have the mana to define themselves irrespective of others who define them from the sidelines of their lives. Their definitions are theirs alone. The storytellers call themselves Queen, Wahine, or women. This is based on the assertion that it is their right to be called a Queen. In certain contexts, they may refer to themselves as takatāpui and transgender for the sake of acceptance by others. This thesis is written to enhance the mana of the storytellers. These are their stories and their truths. 

The late Dame Georgina Beyer, was one of the original participants in this thesis. Many interviews were conducted with her. Instructed by Georgina before her passing to publish elements of her story as part of this thesis. Unfortunately, the Ethics Committee at Waikato University did not accept this due to her passing. Hence, the reason ‘First Lady’ was introduced, where Liz Roberts gives exclusive details of her change, both legally and physically.

text: Taonga maioha: (Born this way) The in-depth stories of three Māori, Pasifika, and Indigenous Queens Who else has the right to define these, Queens? 

This thesis provides a vital platform for the voices of three Māori, Pasifika, and Indigenous Queens, allowing them to share their transformation stories in their own words. Their experiences and feelings about in their words “being born into the wrong bodies” highlight the complex realities of identity and the struggle for acceptance by others. 

These Queens are unified in their desire for dignity and respect. Dignity and respect underscore a fundamental human right. They seek recognition in all areas of their lives, from healthcare to education, housing, employment, and beyond. By articulating their needs, they advocate for themselves and all marginalized individuals, seeking fairness and understanding within systems that often overlook them. 

Focusing on their lived experiences is crucial for fostering empathy and promoting systemic change, as it brings attention to the disparities they face and the importance of inclusivity in society. By sharing their truths, these Queens contribute to a broader dialogue about identity, respect, and the pursuit of equality for all. 

This thesis aims to illuminate the transformation stories or pūrākau of ten Māori and Pasifika Queens, to foster understanding of their unique experiences. The focus on those who identify as wahine despite being born biologically male allows the reader to highlight the rich diversity of gender identity within these cultures and groups. 

The Māori Ethics Committee granted ethics approval for the study, thereby paving the way for the Queens to tell their stories or pūrākau from their truths and perspectives. 

Taonga Maioha details the in-depth transformation stories of three Māori-Pasifika Queens aged 60 plus, supported by a contextual and cultural analysis of their generation. The voices and stories of the Queens are central to this thesis. These stories are thematically analyzed to unpack the cultural and generational influences impacting their identities. The core identity constructs of whakapapa, tinana, hinengaro, and wairua are used to frame and organize their transformation stories according to their instructions. Above all, this thesis is anchored in their rights to define themselves on the premise that they have the mana to define themselves irrespective of others who define them from the sidelines of their lives. Their definitions are theirs alone. The storytellers call themselves Queen, Wahine, or women. This is based on the assertion that it is their right to be called a Queen. In certain contexts, they may refer to themselves as takatāpui and transgender for the sake of acceptance by others. This thesis is written to enhance the mana of the storytellers. These are their stories and their truths. 

The late Dame Georgina Beyer, was one of the original participants in this thesis. Many interviews were conducted with her. Instructed by Georgina before her passing to publish elements of her story as part of this thesis. Unfortunately, the Ethics Committee at Waikato University did not accept this due to her passing. Hence, the reason ‘First Lady’ was introduced, where Liz Roberts gives exclusive details of her change, both legally and physically.

year: 2024