Perfectionism

Whereas clinical psychology regards perfectionism as a personality disposition associated with psychopathology and mental health problems, research in personality and individual differences found perfectionism to be a multidimensional disposition that has adaptive and maladaptive aspects. The present entry presents an overview of the two-factor model of perfectionism--differentiating perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns as two superordinate dimensions of multidimensional perfectionism--and of how the two factors show different relations with motivation and performance. Furthermore, the entry introduces other-oriented perfectionism as a “dark” form of perfectionism separate from perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concern. The entry concludes with a discussion of open questions and directions for future research.