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Perfectionism and acceptance

På svenska

Author

  • Lars-Gunnar Lundh

Summary, in English

The present paper argues that there is both a positive and a negative form of perfectionism, and that they can be differentiated in terms of acceptance. The basic argument is that there is nothing unhealthy or dysfunctional about the striving for perfection as such—perfectionism, however, becomes dysfunctional when this striving for perfection turns into a demand for perfection, defined as an inability to accept being less than perfect. Positive perfectionism, in other words, is viewed as a dialectic combination of (a) a striving for perfection, and (b) the acceptance of non-perfection. Some therapeutic implications are discussed, and some directions for further research are pointed out.

Publishing year

2004

Language

English

Pages

251-265

Publication/Series

Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

Volume

22

Issue

4

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Springer

Topic

  • Psychology

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0894-9085