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Sheamus_1852 t1_j1q7mhh wrote

Reply to comment by GeorgeDaGreat123 in [OC] Women face greater Imposter Syndrome than Men, when starting Software Engineering Degrees, despite having similar high school averages by GeorgeDaGreat123

Females in general have a high rate of perfectionism, it would stand to reason that they have a higher rate of imposter syndrome. I would assume those with imposter syndrome generally focus on what they missed/failed rather than what was right.

I’d also say this is a relatively skewed data set. Software engineering is a highly male dominated area of study (roughly 16% of software engineering degrees are earned by women). There is probably imposter tendencies from a point of gender bias or a need to prove gender strength. I’d be curious to see the difference if you surveyed a nursing program or early childhood education program. You could probably have a more even gender divide if you did a marketing program.

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Lycoris1313 t1_j1qb5cl wrote

I agree with there being a skew or bias based off the gender-split of the degree and the degree itself. Though I'd be curious to know when this poll was completed -- before freshman year started, 1 week in, 1 month in, etc.
When I was in undergrad, I was studying engineering where only 15% were women. Very quickly in my freshman year I realized that I was constantly put down and criticized by my male classmates for any little mistake or mishap - I had to report 4 men within my semester for sexual harassment and harassment in general. It was a huge blow to my self-confidence and certainly made me question my own abilities and suitability for the degree.
It would be interesting to see what the numbers would look like if this was polled during or before orientation week vs. 1/6/12 months vs. graduation week of senior year.

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GeorgeDaGreat123 OP t1_j1qfd4i wrote

Thank you for the comment.

This was completed within the first week (during orientation week) before any proper curriculum was taught. There were many speeches and emails about "imposter syndrome" from faculty heads and professors though, as it seems to be a significant problem at my university every year.

The male:female ratio here was 3:2 so I would assume it is probably less likely for harassment to happen.

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GeorgeDaGreat123 OP t1_j1qcv7j wrote

This survey had a male to female ratio of 3:2 (which is the same as the composition of the software engineering program at my university). Yes that last part sounds quite interesting.

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