You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
Hamachek (1978) held that positive perfectionists “strive for high standards resulting in feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction,” whereas neurotic perfectionists “strive for high standards but, no matter the result, never seem to do things good enough” (p. 28). What determines the type of perfectionism a person falls under? Studies reveal that a major influence may be the individual's parents. Children face many obstacles growing up. Parents sometimes add to these difficulties by expecting more from their children than is possible for a growing yet still immature being. These expectations, and the parental criticism directed at any failure to meet them, can lead children to rebel. Occasionally, however, a child will continue to strive for excellence, and some will continue to fall short in the eyes of their parents. These are the individuals who become neurotic perfectionists. Blatt (1995) describes maladaptive perfectionists as “constantly trying to prove themselves, … always on trial, and feel[ing] vulnerable to any possible implication of failure or criticism” (p. 119). These individuals are observed as having strong feelings of inferiority (Ashby and Kottman 1996) and lower scores on measures of general and social selfefficacy; constantly seeking approval and desperately trying to avoid errors and failure (Blatt 1995); evaluating their performance based on comparisons with others; and viewing others as being in control of them (Ashby 1998). Such feelings of inferiority go on to affect other parts of their lives, hence connecting neurotic perfectionism with a plethora of other psychological disorders, social anxiety being one of the most widespread. Fear of failing in front of others, often at even minor tasks, may be even more difficult than failing itself. The more perfectionistic an individual's standards, or perceptions of the standards