Perfectionism as it relates to achievement

grantor: University of TorontoThe present research examined the relations of individual differences in perfectionism and academic achievement in school-aged-children. The moderating effects of affect and self-esteem on perfectionism and achievement were also examined. A sample of 223 students (90 males, 133 females) from regular, gifted, and arts programmes completed measures of self-oriented and socially-prescribed perfectionism, as well as measures of positive and negative affect, and perceived academic competence. Achievement scores were taken from the Canadian Achievement Test (CAT), which had been previously-administered. Correlational analyses revealed that the socially-prescribed perfectionism dimension was correlated with lower achievement scores. It was also found that the effects of perfectionism were domain-specific across programmes. Higher levels of negative affect were associated broadly with both perfectionism dimensions. There were few significant correlations involving self-oriented perfectionism and achievement, or both dimensions of perfectionism and academic self-esteem. Overall, the results suggest that academic achievement may be affected negatively by striving to please others who set perfectionistic standards.M.A