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Cited by 86Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety StudiesGrit, Self-Efficacy, and MotivationEducation, Achievement, and Giftedness

Because excellencism is more than good enough: On the need to distinguish the pursuit of excellence from the pursuit of perfection.

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Gaudreau, Patrick, Schellenberg, Benjamin J. I., Gareau, Alexandre, Kljajic, Kristina, Manoni-Millar, Stéphanie·2022·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
DOI 10.1037/pspp0000411

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Abstract

An unresolved and controversial issue in the perfectionism literature is whether perfectionism is beneficial, harmful, or unneeded. The Model of Excellencism and Perfectionism (MEP) was recently developed to address this question by distinguishing the pursuit of perfection from the pursuit of excellence (Gaudreau, 2019). In this article, we report the results of the first empirical test of the core assumptions of the MEP. Across 5 studies (total N = 2,157), we tested the conceptual, functional, and developmental distinctiveness of excellencism and perfectionism. In Study 1, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses with two samples supported the hypothesized two-factor structure of the newly developed Scale of Perfectionism and Excellencism (SCOPE). Study 2 provided evidence of convergent and discriminant validity from scores obtained from the SCOPE, and showed that, over and above excellencism, perfectionism was not associated with additional benefits (e.g., life satisfaction) or harms (e.g., depression). Studies 3-4 focused on the academic achievement of undergraduates and showed that, compared to excellence strivers, perfection strivers more often aimed for perfect A+ grades (Study 3), but in fact achieved worse grades (Study 4). Study 5 adopted a four-wave longitudinal design with undergraduates and showed that excellencism and perfectionism were associated with an upward and a downward spiral of academic development. Overall, the results support the core assumptions of the MEP and show that perfectionism is either unneeded or harmful.

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Authors
Gaudreau, P., Schellenberg, B. J. I., Gareau, A., Kljajic, K., & Manoni-Millar, S.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2022-06
Volume
122
Issue
6
Pages
1117-1145
ISSN
  • 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1315
DOI
10.1037/pspp0000411
OpenAlex
W4214736673
Cited by
86
References
118
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3
FWCI
14.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (435-2015-0649)
  • University of Ottawa
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Grit, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
Keywords
perfectionism, academic performance, academic self-concept, life satisfaction, depression, undergraduate students
MeSH terms
Perfectionism, Educational Status, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Humans, Students

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