Perfectionism and Performance in Sport, Education, and the Workplace

Abstract

Perfectionism and performance have long been intertwined. The conceptual history of this relationship is best considered complex, with some theorists maintaining that perfectionism is likely to impair performance and others more recently suggesting that aspects of perfectionism may form part of a healthy pursuit of excellence. Recent studies on perfectionism and performance in sport, education, and the workplace provide us with evidence that perfectionism is indeed an important characteristic in achievement domains. However, this relationship is exceedingly complex. In examining this relationship empirically, researchers have distinguished between two dimensions of perfectionism. The first is perfectionistic strivings that comprise high personal standards and a self-oriented striving for perfection. The second is perfectionistic concerns that comprise a preoccupation with mistakes and negative reactions to imperfection. With regard to perfectionistic strivings, research has revealed that in certain circumstances they are related to better performance. Evidence for this is strongest in education but notably mixed in sport and the workplace. With regard to perfectionistic concerns, while there is evidence that they may not directly impair performance, there is also enough evidence that they may have a detrimental indirect influence on performance. Based on existing research, we argue that there is currently too little research and too many mixed findings to conclude perfectionistic strivings forms part of a healthy pursuit of excellence. In addition, the role of perfectionistic concerns for performance is likely to be more substantive than currently suggested.

The Role of Athletic Self-efficacy and Athletic Perfectionism in Predicting Athletic Performance of Gazi University Student Athletes

“…The results of the study also show that athletic perfectionism has a significant positive effect on athletic performance and predicts 0.46 of changes in athletic performance. The findings of the study are in line with the findings of Madigan et al (2018) who concluded that perfectionism improves athletic performance. Also, Jowett et al (2016) showed in their study that self-efficacy as a psychological factor has an important influence on improving athletic performance.…”

“…Several chapters (e.g., Jowett, Mallinson, & Hill, 2016) and review articles (e.g., Hill & Madigan, 2017) have recently been published that are focused on the consequences of perfectionism. Madigan et al (2018) also concluded in their study that perfectionism improves athletic performance. Therefore, it can be inferred that one of the most important psychological factors related to people's athletic performance is their perfectionism.…”

The effect of auditors’ psychological characteristics on cultural values and social health

“…In addition to this category, moral perfectionism is proposed by philosophers, which is defined as a condition that individuals seek highly standardized morals and make an effort to obtain a really meaningful life (Kant, 1788(Kant, /1997. Madigan et al (2018) examined the impact of perfectionism and its implications. Stoeber (2012) also studied the effect of perfectionism on performance and found that perfectionism has a positive and significant effect on performance.…”

A diákkori csapatversenyek hatása a munkahelyi versenyszituációkban tanúsított magatartásra empirikus vizsgálat alapján

“…A sok tényezőt a szakirodalom összességében és külön-külön is vizsgálja. Az egyik fontos tulajdonság a perfekcionizmus (Madigan, Hill, Mallinson-Howard, Curran, & Jowett, 2018). Bár a témával foglalkozó szerzők egy része szerint a tökéletesség kényszere nem befolyásolja lényegesen a teljesítményt (Stoeber, 2012), metaanalitikus vizsgálati eredmények árnyaltabb képet festenek (Madigan et al, 2018).…”

“…Az egyik fontos tulajdonság a perfekcionizmus (Madigan, Hill, Mallinson-Howard, Curran, & Jowett, 2018). Bár a témával foglalkozó szerzők egy része szerint a tökéletesség kényszere nem befolyásolja lényegesen a teljesítményt (Stoeber, 2012), metaanalitikus vizsgálati eredmények árnyaltabb képet festenek (Madigan et al, 2018). Eszerint Stoeber véleménye csak a sport területén tartható, míg az oktatás és a munkahely esetében a perfekcionizmus negatív hatással van a teljesítményre.…”