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Perfectionism Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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perfectionism

[pəˈfɛkʃ(ə)nɪz(ə)m ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

mental health

Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by a person's striving for flawlessness and setting excessively high performance standards, accompanied by critical self-evaluations and concerns regarding others' evaluations.

Synonyms

excessive idealism, overachievement.

Examples of usage

  • Her perfectionism led to feelings of anxiety and stress.
  • Perfectionism can sometimes interfere with completing tasks efficiently.
Context #2 | Noun

psychology

Perfectionism can be a defense mechanism used to cope with feelings of inadequacy or low self-worth. It is often associated with a fear of failure and can lead to procrastination or avoidance of tasks.

Synonyms

perfectionist tendencies, self-criticism.

Examples of usage

  • His perfectionism stemmed from a fear of not being good enough.
  • Perfectionism can manifest as an avoidance of situations where one might not excel.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Some studies show that perfectionism can lead to anxiety, as individuals often feel they cannot meet their own high standards.
  • There are different types, such as self-oriented perfectionism (demanding perfection from oneself) and socially prescribed perfectionism (feeling pressure to be perfect from others).

Pop Culture

  • In literature, characters exhibiting perfectionism often face emotional challenges, such as in 'Death of a Salesman' by Arthur Miller.
  • Movies like 'Black Swan' explore how the pursuit of perfection can lead to destructive behavior.

Art

  • Artists like Leonardo da Vinci often strived for perfection, famously taking years to complete works. Da Vinci reportedly never felt any of his works were truly perfect.
  • The tension between artistic expression and perfectionism is a common theme in art history.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In some cultures, perfectionism is highly valued and seen as a pathway to success, while in others, it can be viewed as a source of stress and dissatisfaction.
  • Asian cultures may emphasize group harmony and community, leading to different expressions of perfectionism compared to Western individualistic cultures.

Origin of 'perfectionism'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originated from the Latin 'perfectio', meaning 'completion or fullness'.
  • It entered the English language in the late 19th century, evolving to describe a focus on flawlessness.

The concept of perfectionism has roots in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the teachings of Aristotle. The modern understanding of perfectionism as a psychological trait emerged in the 20th century, influenced by the work of psychologists such as Alfred Adler and Karen Horney. Perfectionism is now recognized as a complex trait with both positive and negative aspects, impacting various areas of life.

See also: imperfect, imperfection, perfect, perfecting, perfection, perfectionist, perfectly.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,874, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.