Imposter syndrome was first identified in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes.

Clance and Imes conducted groundbreaking research on highly successful women who, despite their professional achievements, harbored an internal conviction that they were not intelligent and had deceived anyone who thought otherwise. They labeled this phenomenon the 'Imposter Phenomenon' (later commonly known as Imposter Syndrome). Their initial work highlighted the intense anxiety and self-doubt experienced by these women, suggesting it was not a recognized psychiatric disorder but a distinct psychological pattern prevalent among high achievers. Their seminal paper, 'The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention,' published in *Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice*, laid the foundation for understanding this widespread internal experience. They noted that these individuals often attributed their success to luck or charm rather than genuine ability, perpetually fearing exposure as a 'fake' or 'fraud' in their professional and academic lives.