Theoretical Framework
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
In our fast-paced world, it’s always about being better and faster – not only as compared to others, but as we were before. Life is seen as a competition, and only the fittest survive. Perfection is both ideal and a norm. However, as the saying goes, nobody is perfect. It is the striving for this seemingly paradoxical goal that leaves feelings of inadequacy and disappointment. Disappointments in life are inevitable, and so are challenges and difficulties. It is noted however, that some seem to thrive while others cannot, more surprisingly so, even under the same conditions. The question therefore, is what differentiates the former from the latter?
Perfectionism is a personality trait in which an individual who possesses it has and pursues exceedingly high standards; it is then by these unrealistic standards that one evaluates and criticizes himself (Di Schiena, Luminet, Philippot, Douilliez, 2012). Perfectionism could be of two dimensions: self-oriented and socially prescribed. Enns and Cox (as cited in Stoeber & Childs, 2010), defines self-oriented perfectionism as having the perception that being perfect and striving for perfection is important; and is therefore characterized by setting excessively high standards for oneself. This dimension of perfectionism is self-imposed, compared to socially-prescribed perfectionism wherein the individual perceives an imposition by others. Socially-prescribed perfectionism is characterized by the perception that others have excessively high expectations for an individual; and, to the individual acceptance by others is dependent on fulfilling these standards (Stoeber & Childs, 2010).
Moreover, perfectionism could have either positive or negative implications on an individual. It could lead one to have a higher sense of achievement -- never settling for mediocrity and always striving to improve one’s self. On the other hand, the failure to live up to one’s own
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
In our fast-paced world, it’s always about being better and faster – not only as compared to others, but as we were before. Life is seen as a competition, and only the fittest survive. Perfection is both ideal and a norm. However, as the saying goes, nobody is perfect. It is the striving for this seemingly paradoxical goal that leaves feelings of inadequacy and disappointment. Disappointments in life are inevitable, and so are challenges and difficulties. It is noted however, that some seem to thrive while others cannot, more surprisingly so, even under the same conditions. The question therefore, is what differentiates the former from the latter?
Perfectionism is a personality trait in which an individual who possesses it has and pursues exceedingly high standards; it is then by these unrealistic standards that one evaluates and criticizes himself (Di Schiena, Luminet, Philippot, Douilliez, 2012). Perfectionism could be of two dimensions: self-oriented and socially prescribed. Enns and Cox (as cited in Stoeber & Childs, 2010), defines self-oriented perfectionism as having the perception that being perfect and striving for perfection is important; and is therefore characterized by setting excessively high standards for oneself. This dimension of perfectionism is self-imposed, compared to socially-prescribed perfectionism wherein the individual perceives an imposition by others. Socially-prescribed perfectionism is characterized by the perception that others have excessively high expectations for an individual; and, to the individual acceptance by others is dependent on fulfilling these standards (Stoeber & Childs, 2010).
Moreover, perfectionism could have either positive or negative implications on an individual. It could lead one to have a higher sense of achievement -- never settling for mediocrity and always striving to improve one’s self. On the other hand, the failure to live up to one’s own
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