Perfectionism counterproductive among psychology professors?
Friday, November 12, 2010 - 10:30
in Psychology & Sociology
'Obsessing much?' 'Just back away.' 'Let it go.' This sort of comment from perceptive colleagues or friends may indicate perfectionistic tendencies, but in general the recipient isn't likely to recognize their trait as a problem. Even if someone wryly acknowledges himself as a perfectionist, there's a widely held -- if mistaken -- belief that perfectionism is an unambiguously positive trait. But when a researcher decided to turn the lens on fellow professors, the findings proved to be the opposite of conventional wisdom.