Research on perfectionism and achievement motivation: implications for gifted students

Perfectionism has been associated with a rigid adherence to impossibly high standards, an irrational importance on the attainment of these standards, and a tendency to overgeneralize failures. Researchers have primarily focused on how perfectionism predicts psychological adjustment; yet, recent research also indicates that perfectionism impacts students' achievement motivation. In this article, research on the relationship between perfectionism and achievement motivation in non-gifted students is reviewed. Conclusions about perfectionism and achievement motivation in non-gifted students will highlight directions for future research and implications for enhancing the achievement motivation of gifted students with perfectionism. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.