Volume
29
Issue
3
Publisher
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Key words
Imposter Phenomenon, Collegiate Pilots, Self-Handicapping
Abstract
Background: Imposter Syndrome (IS), also called Imposter Phenomenon (IP), has been studied in a variety of paradigms over the past few decades. However, IP is not a well-researched concept in the field of aviation, and no studies that we know of have examined this phenomenon with student pilots.
Method: Two hundred and forty-one student pilots were interviewed from two southeastern universities with flight schools. Participants were asked a series of questions about demographics, flight training, personality measures, self-efficacy, self-handicapping, and perceived organizational support. In addition, they responded to the Clance IP scale.
Results: A regression equation was created from the first dataset and tested for model fit with a second dataset. Four factors were found to be significant, including measures of self-handicapping, measures of self-efficacy, income, and the type of flight school, accounting for approximately 40% of the variance in the data. Model fit was strong, providing future researchers with a predictive model of IP for student pilots.
Conclusion: These findings show that IP is prevalent in student pilots and correlates with self-handicapping. This is a concern that should be addressed in aviation programs.
First Page
37
Last Page
67
DOI
https://doi.org/10.15394/jaaer.2020.1857
Scholarly Commons Citation
Mehta, R., Rice, S., Li, T., Cooke, S., Lange, R., Black, M., Smith, C., Milner, M., Winter, S. R., Ragbir, N., & Vaughn, A. (2020). What Type of Collegiate Pilot is Likely to Experience Imposter Phenomenon?. Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research, 29(3). https://doi.org/10.15394/jaaer.2020.1857
