Big 5 Personality Traits, Imposter Phenomenon and Hypercompetitive Attitude Among High Performing Emerging Adults

Abstract

Emerging adults refers to a developmental phase in the human life cycle following adolescence and preceding adulthood. “Personality is generally defined as an individual’s unique and relatively stable patterns of behavior, thoughts, and emotions”. Hypercompetitive attitude reflects the need to compete and win at all costs as a means of maintaining or enhancing one's self-worth. Impostor syndrome refers to the state that affects high achievers who are unable to internalize and accept their achievements. This study seeks to analyses the significant relationship between Big 5 Personality Traits, Hypercompetitive Attitude and the Imposter Phenomenon among high-achieving emerging adults. Samples were collected using a purposive sampling technique. Research instruments used in the study were the Big Five Inventory - 10, Hypercompetitive Attitude Scale and Imposter Phenomenon Scale. The data was analyzed using SPSS. The statistical technique used was Spearman’s Rank Correlation. The finding showed that there was a significant negative relationship between extraversion and imposter phenomenon, a negative relationship between agreeableness and hypercompetitive attitude, a positive relationship between neuroticism and imposter phenomenon and a positive relationship between hypercompetitive attitude and imposter phenomenon.