Science University Research Symposium (SURS)
The Role of People Pleasing and Agreeableness in Impostorism
Publication Date
11-24-2025
SURS Faculty Advisor
Dr. Abigail Heller
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Impostorism is a phenomenon present among adolescents and emerging adults that brings up feelings of self-doubt and fear and relates to various mental health struggles (Khan, 2025). Impostorism has also been linked with self-esteem and performance issues (Salari, 2025). People-pleasing is defined as the trait in which people desire the approval of others and learn positive traits that give them positive regard (Kell, 2009). Agreeableness can be defined as the personality trait that is most concerned with prosocial acts that will build positive relationships with others (Wilmot & Ones, 2022). There has been previous research conducted on the relationship between impostorism and the Big Five item of agreeableness, but no study exists so far around agreeableness and people-pleasing as factors related to feelings of impostorism in emerging adults. This study explored how agreeableness and people-pleasing tendencies relate to impostorism in emerging adults. In this study, emerging adults (N = 45, Mage = 24.82) recruited via Prolific filled out a survey on Qualtrics that measured demographics, personality (including agreeableness), people-pleasing measures, and impostorism. Results indicated that people-pleasing tendencies were related to higher levels of impostorism, while higher agreeableness scores were associated with lower levels of impostorism. This suggests that people-pleasing tendencies can be a viable predictor of feelings of impostorism, while agreeableness cannot.
Recommended Citation
Meckley, Addison; Ekle, Josie; Thompson, Elle; and Smith, Mary, "The Role of People Pleasing and Agreeableness in Impostorism" (2025). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 253.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/253
