Abstract
M.A. (Psychology)
This study was motivated by the relative lack of research pertaining to the
following aspects ofperfectionism:
~ The differences between the personality structure of high and low
perfectionists.
~ The trend in available research in respect of perfectionism to regard the high
perfectionist individual as maladapted and the low perfectionist individual as
normal.
~ The possible association between parental styles and the development of
perfectionist behavior in children.
The literature describes perfectionism as a multi-dimensional construct.
Perfectionism is perceived as consisting of both intra- and interdimensional
aspects. The focus of the perfectionist can either be on the self (self-oriented
perfectionism), on others (olher-oriented perfectionism) or on expectations from
the outside world (socially prescribed perfectionism) (e.g. Hewitt &Flett, 1991a).
According to a number of research studies the perfectionist is lnclned to
suppress emotions (e.g. Smith, 1990) and harbour irrational thought patterns (e.g.
Flett, Hewitt, Blankstein & Koledin, 1991). Interpersonal problems arise because
the perfectionist, for example, isolates herself socially, criticizes others (Smith,
1990) and has an extreme need for control within interpersonal relationships (e.g.
Mental Health Net, 1999).
In spite of research regarding the association between perfectionism and certain
personality traits there remains a dearth of findings concerning personality
structure and perfectionism in women...