The Role of Perfectionism and Emotional Regulation in Explaining Decision-Making Styles

The Relationship Between Perfectionism and Maximization Tendency

“…For instance, the Big Five personality traits predict maximization tendency (Miceli et al, 2018) and neuroticism is the strongest predictor of maximization tendency (Purvis et al, 2011). Perfectionism, as a personality trait, is closely associated with maximization tendency (Bergman et al, 2007; Bubić, 2015; Schwartz et al, 2002). Extant studies on perfectionism and maximization only examine the relationship between the two but do not provide possible explanations for this relationship.…”

“…Further, some studies have examined the effect of personality traits on maximization. Two studies focused on the relationships between the Big Five personality traits and maximization (Purvis et al, 2011), most of the other studies focused on the relationship between perfectionism personality and maximization (Bergman et al, 2007; Bubić, 2015; Schwartz et al, 2002). Perfectionism is characterized by striving for flawlessness and setting significantly high standards for performance, accompanied by tendencies toward overly critical evaluations of one’s behavior (Flett & Hewitt, 2002).…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, only six studies have examined the relationship between perfectionism and maximization tendency, consistently showing low-to-moderate correlations between them (Bergman et al, 2007; Bubić, 2015; Chang et al, 2011; Dahling & Thompson, 2013; Kokkoris, 2019; Schwartz et al, 2002). For instance, Schwartz and colleagues (2002) used the Maximization Scale (MS) and a 15-item perfectionism subscale, comprising self-oriented perfectionism items from the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Hewitt & Flett, 1990, 1991), to explore the relationship between maximization and perfectionism.…”

“…However, the results of whether maximization has a stronger correlation with positive perfectionism or negative perfectionism are uncertain. Some studies indicate that a higher level of maximization tendency has a stronger positive relationship with negative perfectionism than with positive perfectionism (Bergman et al, 2007; Bubić, 2015; Chang et al, 2011). Bergman and colleagues (2007) conducted an analysis using the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale (Terry-Short et al, 1995) and MS (Schwartz et al, 2002) and found that both negative ( r = 0.42, p < .001) and positive perfectionism ( r = 0.22, p < .01) are positively correlated with maximization.…”

“…Bergman and colleagues (2007) conducted an analysis using the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale (Terry-Short et al, 1995) and MS (Schwartz et al, 2002) and found that both negative ( r = 0.42, p < .001) and positive perfectionism ( r = 0.22, p < .01) are positively correlated with maximization. Bubić (2015) used the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Frost et al, 1990) and the Shortened Maximization Scale (MS-S; Nenkov et al, 2008) to confirm the positive relationships between perfectionistic strivings ( r = 0.20, p < .01) and maximization and between perfectionistic concerns and maximization ( r = 0.45, p < .01). Chang and colleagues (2011) further used the Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism (Chang et al, 2011) and MS (Schwartz et al, 2002) and found that maximization tendency had a stronger positive relationship with negative perfectionism (0.45 < r s < 0.47, p < .001) than with positive perfectionism ( r = 0.29, p < .001).…”