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Perfectionism and aptitude test performance: Testees who strive for perfection achieve better test results

Stoeber, Joachim, Kersting, Martin (2007) Perfectionism and aptitude test performance: Testees who strive for perfection achieve better test results. Personality and Individual Differences, 42 (6). pp. 1093-1103. ISSN 0191-8869. (doi:10.1016/j.paid.2006.09.012) (KAR id:2314)

Abstract

Positive conceptions of perfectionism (Stoeber & Otto, 2006) suggest that perfectionistic strivings may form part of a healthy pursuit of excellence and are associated with higher academic achievement and higher performance in laboratory tasks. To extend such research findings, the present study explores if perfectionistic strivings also predict aptitude test performance, while controlling for conscientious achievement striving. A sample of 111 participants, who completed measures of perfectionistic strivings and conscientious achievement striving, were given a set of aptitude tests comprising reasoning, speed, and work sample tests. Results showed that, while conscientious achievement striving was unrelated to performance in all tests, perfectionistic strivings predicted higher performance in both reasoning tests and work sample tests. Apart from providing further support for the view that perfectionistic strivings are a positive personality characteristic, the findings may also have relevance for applied psychology, as they suggest that testees who strive for perfection may achieve better results in aptitude tests which are routinely used in personnel selection and assessment

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.paid.2006.09.012
Uncontrolled keywords: ability tests; speed; reasoning; work samples; intelligence; conscientiousness; achievement striving
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Joachim Stoeber
Date Deposited: 18 Mar 2008 09:06 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:41 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/2314 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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