The many faces of perfectionism

Benson, Etienne

doi:10.1037/e318952004-015

Cited by 18 publications

(21 citation statements)

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“…Because the scale used to assess perfectionism was only focused on socially prescribed perfectionism that is ultimately driven by social forces, it seems that an underlying social component could be a factor in the results. According to Hewitt (as cited by Benson, 2003), "interpersonal needs are what drive the perfectionistic behavior" (p. 3). These needs are the focus of the PSPS, which includes such items as "If I seem perfect, others will see me more positively" and "Errors are much worse if they are made in public rather than in private" (Hewitt et al, 2003, p. 1).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Social Influence in Anxiety and the Imposter Phenomenon

Fraenza¹

2016

OLJ

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High anxiety levels have been associated with high levels of the imposter phenomenon (IP), a negative experience of feeling like a fraud. This study was designed to explore IP among graduate students and to determine whether a difference exists between online graduate students and traditional graduate students. The theoretical foundation of this study was social influence, which holds that students may feel pressured in a traditional setting because of the social cues of peers and instructors, as well as institutional norms. This quantitative study used a between-subjects design to compare 2 independent samples (115 online students & 105 traditional students). The study used a cross-sectional survey design, with 4 different measures: the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale, the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, and a basic demographic survey. Results indicated that traditional graduate students had significantly higher IP scores than online graduate students. Results also indicated a significant, positive relationship between IP scores and anxiety scores. Regression analysis indicated that perfectionism was the most influential predictor of IP scores, followed by anxiety and program type. Because the scale used in this study explored socially prescribed perfectionism, the results appear to suggest an underlying social component to IP.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Social Influence in Anxiety and the Imposter Phenomenon

Fraenza¹

2016

OLJ

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“…However, since the 1980s, theory and research on perfectionism has made considerable progress, and it is now recognized that perfectionism has many faces and is best conceptualized as a multidimensional and multifaceted characteristic (Benson, 2003;Hewitt, Flett, Besser, Sherry, & McGee, 2003; for a review, see Enns & Cox, 2002). Multidimensional sexual perfectionism, however, has so far received only little attention.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multidimensional Sexual Perfectionism

et al. 2013

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Perfectionism is a multidimensional personality characteristic that can affect all areas of life.This article presents the first systematic investigation of multidimensional perfectionism in the domain of sexuality exploring the unique relationships that different forms of sexual perfectionism show with positive and negative aspects of sexuality. A sample of 272 university students (52 male, 220 female) completed measures of four forms of sexual perfectionism: selforiented, partner-oriented, partner-prescribed, and socially prescribed. In addition, they completed measures of sexual esteem, sexual self-efficacy, sexual optimism, sex life satisfaction (capturing positive aspects of sexuality) and sexual problem self-blame, sexual anxiety, sexual depression, and negative sexual perfectionism cognitions during sex (capturing negative aspects).Results showed unique patterns of relationships for the four forms of sexual perfectionism, suggesting that partner-prescribed and socially prescribed sexual perfectionism are maladaptive forms of sexual perfectionism associated with negative aspects of sexuality whereas self-oriented and partner-oriented sexual perfectionism emerged as ambivalent forms associated with positive and negative aspects.

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“…Still, many researchers hold strong doubts that perfectionism can be positive, healthy, or functional, not to mention adaptive (e.g., Flett & Hewitt, 2002a, 2005Greenspon, 2000; see also Benson, 2003). Moreover, the research literature relating to this question is complex and may appear confusing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive Conceptions of Perfectionism: Approaches, Evidence, Challenges

Stoeber

Otto

2006

Pers Soc Psychol Rev

1,265

117

1,395

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Almost 30 years ago, Hamachek (1978) suggested that two forms of perfectionism be distinguished, a positive form labeled "normal perfectionism" and a negative form labeled "neurotic perfectionism." Focusing on the positive, we present an overview of the different empirical conceptions of the two forms of perfectionism and present a common framework for the two basic approaches: the dimensional approach differentiating two dimensions of perfectionism (perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns) and the group-based approach differentiating two groups of perfectionists (healthy perfectionists and unhealthy perfectionists). Moreover, we review the evidence demonstrating that (a) perfectionistic strivings are associated with positive characteristics and (b) healthy perfectionists show higher levels of positive characteristics compared to unhealthy perfectionists and nonperfectionists. While questions on core facets, positive effects, and developmental antecedents of positive forms of perfectionism remain, our findings suggest that self-oriented perfectionistic strivings are positive, if perfectionists are not overly concerned about mistakes and negative evaluations by others.

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The many faces of perfectionism

Cited by 18 publications

References 0 publications

The Role of Social Influence in Anxiety and the Imposter Phenomenon

The Role of Social Influence in Anxiety and the Imposter Phenomenon

Multidimensional Sexual Perfectionism

Positive Conceptions of Perfectionism: Approaches, Evidence, Challenges

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