Being posh, bullshitting and success in life

A recent article in the Guardian pointed out the connection between social status and a propensity for “bullshitting”.

“Bullshitting” is a well-known social phenomenon, summarized as a situation where an individual claims to have knowledge, experience or expertise in something, when really they do not.

According to a new study from University College London (UCL), young men from affluent backgrounds, a higher social position etc. are more likely to believe they are smarter, stronger and all-round better than they actually are than someone from less privileged backgrounds.

Believing in yourself – a critical step on the path to success.

This confidence ultimately leads to success in the professional realm. If you don’t believe that you can do something, you are less likely to give your full effort and, without your full effort, your chances of successfully achieving your goal are greatly reduced - a vicious cycle.

Also, if your goal requires help from others, you then need them to believe in you. If you don’t believe in yourself; why would they believe in you. Every successful goal that you ever achieve will have one common thing that they require i.e. that you believe in yourself.

Your confidence in yourself is reflected to others who in turn enhance your confidence. Social status is - according to the UCL study - a source of self-(over)confidence and therefore a virtuous cycle.

Bullingdon boys. Source: https://frogssavethequeen.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/riot-and-bullingdon-clubs-once-a-bully-always-a-bully/

Impostor syndrome

Impostor syndrome (also known as impostor phenomenon, impostors, fraud syndrome or the impostor experience) is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts his or her accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud".

It can therefore be understood as the opposite of bullshitting. This negative self-sabotage affects of both women and men, but there are signs that women are less inclined to bullshitting and more inclined to feel like an impostor, which might lead to women’s lower participation in societal positions of power, i.e. politicians, business leaders and world influencers. It’s not to say that low confidence is the main factor, but that it is rather socioeconomic imbalance and family structures we’re up against.

This society is still supporting the young, rich and male. Nevertheless, some women who can overcome this idea with “you can’t do that” thoughts can get far in a global workplace that too often values confidence over proven skill and results.

So the question remains whether society is truly willing to accept people according to their skills rather than their appearence and ability to bullshit.