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Cited by 1,779Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety StudiesPersonality Traits and PsychologyObsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders

Positive Conceptions of Perfectionism: Approaches, Evidence, Challenges

Stoeber, Joachim, Otto, Kathleen·2006·Personality and Social Psychology Review
DOI 10.1207/s15327957pspr1004_2
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Abstract

Almost 30 years ago, Hamachek (1978) suggested that 2 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 2 forms of perfectionism and a common framework for the 2 basic approaches: the dimensional approach differentiating 2 dimensions of perfectionism (perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns) and the group-based approach differentiating 2 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. Although 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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Crossref · 10.1207/s15327957pspr1004_2

Cites

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  • Recent evidence indicates that the associations between different dimensions of perfectionism and various outcomes differ depending on whether the raw or the semi-partial correlation is used.

    “We include tests using semi-partial correlations as well as raw correlations in light of recent evidence indicating that the associations between different dimensions of perfectionism and various outcomes differ depending on whether the raw or the semi-partial correlation is used (A. P. Hill & Curran, 2015; Stoeber & Otto, 2006).”

    From A Meta–Analytic and Conceptual Update on the Associations between Procrastination and Multidimensional Perfectionism (2017) · cites this paper as Stoeber & Otto, 2006

  • This is a particularly salient issue when examining correlates and outcomes of perfectionistic strivings, in which raw correlations often illustrate mixed findings whereas semi-partial correlations often reveal relatively more positive aspects of perfectionistic strivings.

    “This is a particularly salient issue when examining correlates and outcomes of perfectionistic strivings in which raw correlations often illustrate mixed findings whereas semi-partial correlations often reveal relatively more positive aspects of perfectionistic strivings (Stoeber & Otto, 2006).”

    From A Meta–Analytic and Conceptual Update on the Associations between Procrastination and Multidimensional Perfectionism (2017) · cites this paper as Stoeber & Otto, 2006

  • These differing findings are likely due to the often considerable amount of overlapping variance between perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns that is accounted for when using semi-partial correlations, but is left unattended when using raw correlations.

    “These differing findings are likely due to the often considerable amount of overlapping variance between perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns that is accounted for when using semi-partial correlations, but is left unattended when using raw correlations (Enns & Cox, 2002; Stoeber & Otto, 2006).”

    From A Meta–Analytic and Conceptual Update on the Associations between Procrastination and Multidimensional Perfectionism (2017) · cites this paper as Stoeber & Otto, 2006

Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 11

  1. Anshel, M. H., 2003, International Journal of Sport Psychology, 34, 255
  2. Ashby, J. S., 1999, Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 33, 142
  3. Benson, E., 2003, Monitor on Psychology, 34, 18
  4. Burns, D. D., 1980, Psychology Today, 34
  5. 10.1037/1099-9809.9.1.64 · DOI · Paper page
  6. Costa, P. T., Jr., 1992, Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI): Professional manual
  7. Hamachek, D. E., 1978, Psychology, 15, 27
  8. Johnson, D. P., 1996, Journal of College Student Development, 37, 29
  9. LoCicero, K. A., 2000, Journal of Individual Psychology, 56, 449
  10. Merriam-Webster, 2005, Merriam-Webster online dictionary
  11. Missildine, W. H., 1963, Your inner child of the past

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Authors
Stoeber, J., & Otto, K.
Affiliations
  • University of Kent (GB)
  • Leipzig University (DE)
ORCID
Venue
Personality and Social Psychology Review
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2006-11
Volume
10
Issue
4
Pages
295-319
ISSN
  • 1088-8683 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-7957
DOI
10.1207/s15327957pspr1004_2
OpenAlex
W2144974643
Semantic Scholar
785b3aa20a9b918778d9507b067697b21b6ae6a4
Cited by
1,779
References
122
Citations by year
2026: 125 · 2025: 138 · 2024: 118 · 2023: 114 · 2022: 127 · 2021: 123 · 2020: 114 · 2019: 101 · 2018: 86 · 2017: 107 · 2016: 105 · 2015: 103 · 2014: 98 · 2013: 55 · 2012: 70
FWCI
25.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Personality and Social Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
Keywords
positive perfectionism, neurotic perfectionism, perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, self-oriented perfectionism
MeSH terms
Affect, Attitude, Humans, Personality, Social Perception

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