Perfectionism Is Multidimensional: a reply to Shafran, Cooper and Fairburn (2002)
Abstract
provided a cognitive-behavioural analysis of perfectionism that focused primarily on self-oriented perfectionism. They argued against studying perfectionism from a multidimensional perspective that they regard as inconsistent with prior work on perfectionism as a self-oriented phenomenon. We respond to by offering historical, empirical, and theoretical support for the usefulness and the importance of a multidimensional model of perfectionism involving both intrapersonal processes and interpersonal dynamics. It is concluded that a multidimensional approach to the study of perfectionism is still warranted.
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Hewitt and Flett (1991) along with Hewitt, Flett, Besser, Sherry, and McGee (2003) have provided a strong theoretical foundation and direct empirical evidence to support a multidimensional conceptualization of perfectionism that includes both intra and interpersonal dimensions.
“Indeed, Hewitt and Flett (1991) along with Hewitt, Flett, Besser, Sherry, and McGee (2003) have provided a strong theoretical foundation and direct empirical evidence to support a multidimensional conceptualization of perfectionism that includes both intra and interpersonal dimensions of perfectionism.”
From A Meta–Analytic and Conceptual Update on the Associations between Procrastination and Multidimensional Perfectionism (2017) · cites this paper as Hewitt, Flett, Besser, Sherry, and McGee (2003)
Perfectionism can also be viewed as the frequency with which automatic perfectionistic thoughts are experienced, and as a self-presentation style characterized by defensive self-concealment.
“perfectionism can also be viewed as the frequency with which automatic perfectionistic thoughts are experienced (e.g., Perfectionistic Cognitions Inventory (PCI); Flett, Hewitt, Blankstein & Gray, 1998), and as a self-presentation style characterized by defensive selfconcealment (e.g., Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale (PSPS); Hewitt et al., 2003).”
From A Meta–Analytic and Conceptual Update on the Associations between Procrastination and Multidimensional Perfectionism (2017) · cites this paper as Hewitt et al., 2003
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- Authors
- Hewitt, P. L., Flett, G. L., Besser, A., Sherry, S. B., & McGee, B.
- Affiliations
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- University of York (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Hewitt, P.L.
- Venue
- Behaviour Research and Therapy
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2003-10
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1221-1236
- ISSN
- 0005-7967 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2132265739
- Cited by
- 200
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 8.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Behaviour Research and Therapy (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
- Keywords
- perfectionism, self-oriented perfectionism, interpersonal dynamics, within-person processes
- MeSH terms
- Achievement, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Cognition, Compulsive Personality Disorder, Fear, Humans, Models, Psychological, Self Concept, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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