Understanding Perfectionism: Insights From Psychological Research

Perfectionism is widely recognized by professionals as a personality trait rather than a mental illness. While many individuals strive for high standards in various aspects of their daily lives and professional endeavors, psychological frameworks help clarify the exact nature of this complex behavioral tendency.

A notable study published in the 'Psychological Bulletin' journal, which is an official publication of the American Psychological Association (APA), highlights a distinct shift in societal trends. According to the findings of this research, the number of individuals who identify or consider themselves as perfectionists increased significantly during the period between 1989 and 2016.

To better understand and analyze these behaviors, psychologists generally categorize perfectionism into three specific types of tendencies. These established classifications provide a structured approach for mental health experts and researchers to examine how perfectionistic traits manifest in different people.

The first category identified by psychological insights is self-oriented perfectionism, which involves internal pressures and excessively high personal standards. The second category is other-oriented perfectionism, where an individual places demanding and unrealistic expectations onto the people around them in their social or professional circles.

The third and final classification is socially-prescribed perfectionism. This particular tendency involves an individual perceiving that society, their peers, or external forces are placing intense, unavoidable pressure on them to be flawless, creating a heavy psychological burden that is supported by organizations like Thriveworks and insights from Emily Simonian.