Impostor syndrome (impostor phenomenon)

Biological Parallel

Newly dominant male primates often continue displaying submission signals alongside dominance behaviors, as if unconvinced of their own status despite having won decisive fights. This 'impostor' behavior may be adaptive: overconfident new dominants who ignore potential challengers lose status quickly, while those maintaining vigilance secure longer tenure. In volatile competitive hierarchies, underestimating your position creates a safety margin—the impostor who stays alert outlasts the overconfident champion who stops watching for threats.