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- colbertnationgirl
- Hymn of One
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Positive aspects
Perfectionism can drive people to accomplishments and provide the motivation to persevere in the face of discouragement and obstacles. Roedell (1984) argues that "in a positive form, perfectionism can provide the driving energy which leads to great achievement. The meticulous attention to detail necessary for scientific investigation, the commitment which pushes composers to keep working until the music realises the glorious sounds playing in the imagination, and the persistence which keeps great artists at their easels until their creation matches their conception all result from perfectionism".[5]
Slaney found that adaptive perfectionists had lower levels of procrastination than non-perfectionists. High-achieving athletes, scientists, and artists often show signs of perfectionism. For example, Michelangelo's perfectionism may have spurred him to create masterpieces such as the statue David and the Sistine Chapel. Perfectionism is associated with giftedness in children.
Negative aspects
In its pathological form, perfectionism can be very damaging. It can take the form of procrastination when it is used to postpone tasks ("I can't start my project until I know the 'right' way to do it."), and self-deprecation when it is used to excuse poor performance or to seek sympathy and affirmation from other people ("I can't believe I don't know how to reach my own goals. I must be stupid; how else could I not be able to do this?").
In the workplace, perfectionism is often marked by low productivity as individuals lose time and energy on small irrelevant details of larger projects or mundane daily activities. This can lead to depression, alienated colleagues, and a greater risk of accidents.[6] Adderholt-Elliot (1989) describes five characteristics of perfectionist students and teachers which contribute to underachievement: procrastination, fear of failure, the all-or-nothing mindset, paralysed perfectionism, and workaholism.[7] In intimate relationships, unrealistic expectations can cause significant dissatisfaction for both partners.[8] Perfectionists may sacrifice family and social activities in the quest for their goals.
Perfectionists can suffer anxiety and low self-esteem. Perfectionism is a risk factor for obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and clinical depression.
Therapists attempt to tackle the negative thinking that surrounds perfectionism, in particular the "all-or-nothing" thinking where the client believes that an achievement is either perfect or useless. They encourage clients to set realistic goals and to face their fear of failure.
That was the weirdest display of geekdom that I have ever seen in my entire life.
hmmm nice.kassiaL wrote:BA: History/Hawaiian Language/Hawaiian Studies
MA: Anthropology/International Studies
PhD: History
Yep. That's me. Someday.
my dream job has always been being a 60 year old dude with a 20 year old girlfriend and lots of money.

Last edited by Jo_16_2 on Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Hello, I'm Jo.
And yeah, I'm a guy. Jo's just a nickname.
kthxbai
And yeah, I'm a guy. Jo's just a nickname.
kthxbai
- colbertnationgirl
- Hymn of One
- Posts: 14857
- Joined: Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:42 am
Perv.Jo_16_2 wrote:hmmm nice.kassiaL wrote:BA: History/Hawaiian Language/Hawaiian Studies
MA: Anthropology/International Studies
PhD: History
Yep. That's me. Someday.
my dream job always has been being a 60 year old dude with a 20 year old girlfriend and lots of money.

That was the weirdest display of geekdom that I have ever seen in my entire life.
- PolkadotConfederation
- Hymn of One
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- Location: Wishing Fred Weasley was still alive.
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colbertnationgirl wrote:Perv.Jo_16_2 wrote:hmmm nice.kassiaL wrote:BA: History/Hawaiian Language/Hawaiian Studies
MA: Anthropology/International Studies
PhD: History
Yep. That's me. Someday.
my dream job always has been being a 60 year old dude with a 20 year old girlfriend and lots of money.

Hello, I'm Jo.
And yeah, I'm a guy. Jo's just a nickname.
kthxbai
And yeah, I'm a guy. Jo's just a nickname.
kthxbai