Transforming Self-Perception: New Research Unveils How Positive Feedback Counters Underconfidence

Transforming Self-Perception: New Research Unveils How Positive Feedback Counters Underconfidence

(IN BRIEF) A collaborative study from the University of Copenhagen and University College London has uncovered key reasons behind persistent self-doubt in individuals who perform well, a phenomenon often linked to imposter syndrome. The research, which involved a web-based experiment using a computer game set in a fictional town called “Fruitville,” found that people with anxiety and depression tend to focus on moments of low confidence rather than acknowledging their successes. This skewed metacognitive process results in a distorted view of their abilities, leading them to avoid new challenges despite their competence. The study also demonstrates that explicit positive feedback can help correct these self-assessments, suggesting potential avenues for therapeutic intervention. The findings, which are published in Nature Communications, underline the importance of addressing metacognitive distortions to foster better self-perception in affected individuals.

(PRESS RELEASE) COPENHAGEN, 4-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with University College London has shed light on why some individuals remain plagued by self-doubt, even when their performance is objectively strong. The research delves into the phenomenon often referred to as imposter syndrome, where individuals, despite repeated successes, continue to question their own competence.

Imagine starting a new job and gradually building confidence as you master unfamiliar tasks. For some, however, this growing assurance is undermined by persistent insecurity about their abilities. The study attributes this paradox to variations in metacognition—the process of self-reflection on one’s own skills. In particular, the research highlights that individuals with symptoms of anxiety and depression tend to discount moments of high confidence. Instead, they disproportionately weigh instances when they felt uncertain, ultimately skewing their overall self-assessment.

To explore these dynamics, the research team recruited a large pool of participants via an online platform. These volunteers were invited to engage in a specially designed computer game, set in a fictional town called “Fruitville,” where they were tasked with harvesting fruit. The game required them to use both visual and memory skills to succeed. After each task, participants rated their confidence in their performance, and at the end of the game, they assessed their overall achievement.

Dr. Sucharit Katyal, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Psychology, explained, “Our findings reveal that people experiencing anxiety and depression have a tendency to overlook instances when they perform well, focusing instead on moments of low confidence. This distorted self-perception can lead them to avoid taking on new challenges, even when they possess the necessary abilities.”

Importantly, the study also discovered that external validation can help recalibrate self-perception. When individuals with chronic underconfidence received explicit positive feedback about their performance, they were better able to update their self-assessment accurately. “Emphasizing successes rather than internal doubts seems to be a crucial strategy in helping these individuals overcome their distorted judgments of their own capabilities,” added Dr. Katyal.

Published in the journal Nature Communications, the study titled “Distorted learning from local metacognition supports transdiagnostic underconfidence” offers promising insights for developing interventions aimed at mitigating metacognitive distortions, particularly in individuals dealing with anxiety and depression. The full study is available for further reading.

Media Contact:

Sucharit Katyal
Postdoc, Department of Psychology
Mail: ska@psy.ku.dk
Phone: +45 35 33 24 17

Simon Knokgaard Halskov
Press and communications advisor
Mail: skha@adm.ku.dk
Phone: +45 93 56 53 29

SOURCE: University of Copenhagen