85 Perfectionism: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How

Oct 4, 2021

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Join me as we discover explore all the elements of perfectionism, from its root causes to its surface manifestations, through an Internal Family Systems lens, grounded in a Catholic world view. Through poetry, quotes, research findings, personal examples and the current professional literature, I pull together many strands into a unified whole to help you deeply grasp the internal experience of perfectionism.
Intro
1. The Quintessential Persona Leanna Smith
1. We are together in this great adventure, this podcast, Interior Integration for Catholics, we are journeying together, and I am honored to be able to spend this time with you.
2. I am Dr. Peter Malinoski, clinical psychologist and passionate Catholic and together, we are taking on the tough topics that matter to you.
3. We bring the best of psychology and human formation and harmonize it with the perennial truths of the Catholic Faith.
4. Interior Integration for Catholics is part of our broader outreach, Souls and Hearts bringing the best of psychology grounded in a Catholic worldview to you and the rest of the world through our website soulsandhearts.com
5. Let's get into answering the questions -- the who, what, where, when, why, and how of perfectionism. This is episode 85 of the Interior Integration for Catholics Podcast it's titled: Perfectionism: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How
6. Perfectionism -- a major, major problem for so many Catholics. A major, major problem for so many of us. Thomas Curran and Andrew Hill 2019 Psychological Bulletin Article: Perfectionism Is Increasing Over Time: A Meta-Analysis of Birth Cohort Differences From 1989 to 2016
  1. reviewed dozens of studies from a 27 year timespan all using the same instrument the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale by Hewitt and Flett
7. 1. 164 study samples comprising more than 41,000 college students in the US, Canada and Great Britain between 1989 and 2016
8. 1. Results: there is no doubt. Perfectionism among college students is on the rise.
    1. Between 1989 and 2016,
      1. the scores for socially prescribed perfectionism — or perceiving that other have excessive expectations of me — increased by 33%.
      2. Other-oriented expectations — putting unrealistic expectations on others — went up 16%
      3. and self-oriented perfectionism — our irrational desire to be perfect — increased 10%

The Who of Perfectionism -- the Parts
The What of Perfectionism -- What is it? What are the different kinds of perfectionism, what are the elements?
Where Does Perfectionism Come From Within Us
When Does Perfectionism Get Activated?
Why Does Perfectionism Start and Why Does it Keep Going?
How Do We Overcome Perfectionism? How do we resolve it? Not just a descriptive diagnosis, but a proscriptive conceptualization that gives a direction for healing, resolving the perfectionism. Not just symptom management, this is your cross nonsense. There are real crosses that God gives us. Yes. But those crosses fit well. The crosses we impose upon ourselves do not fit well.

What -- What is perfectionism? You know that I want precise definitions when we dive into deep topics together. I think it's ironic that there is a lot of unclear, sloppy thinking about perfectionism by perfectionists. Shining a bright clear light on it.
1. Definition of Perfectionism
  1. Brene Brown: The Gifts of Imperfection: Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels the primary thought: If I look perfect, live perfectly, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize painful feelings or shame, judgment and blame
2. 1. Marc Foley O.C.D. Editor of Story of a Soul: Study Edition There is an unhealthy striving for perfection which psychologists call perfectionism. Perfectionism is the state of being driven to achieve a standard of perfection in an area of life that is fueled by either the fear of failure or the need for approval. This unhealthy striving is not the type of perfection to which God calls us.
4. So you may have perfectionistic parts that would like to challenge me on this. Your perfectionistic parts may say to me
  1. So, Dr. Peter, Mr. Catholic Psychologist, you want us to have low standards, huh? You think that would be better, for us to be lazy, to be weak, to take our ease, to relax, to give up the fight, to be mediocre, to be lukewarm, huh? Is that what you are saying? Didn't St. Jerome say: Good, better, best, never let it rest, 'till your good is better, and your better's best
    1. First off, let's start with your quote. Often attributed to St. Jerome, but there's no evidence for it in his writings:
      1. Fr. Horton addresses this alleged quote on his blog fauxtations. September 26, 2016 post. "Good, better, best: St. Jerome?"
        
        Oldest google books attribution is from 2009.
      2. 1904 Dictionary of Modern Proverbs
      3. 1897 Christian Work: Illustrated Family Newspaper.
      4. Others attribute it to Tim Duncan, NBA all-star player, often considered the greatest power forward of all time.
      6. I want you to pursue excellence.
5. 1. Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving for excellence or a commitment to self-improvement. There is a critical distinction between striving for excellence and perfectionism. Let's discuss what perfectionism is not.
6. 1. Brene Brown: Perfectionism is not self-improvement./ Perfectionism is, at it’s core, about trying to earn approval and acceptance Most perfectionists were raised being praised for achievement and performance (grades, manners, rule-following, people-pleasing, appearance, sports). Somewhere along the way, we adopted this dangerous and debilitating belief system: I am what I accomplish and how well I accomplish it. Please. Perform. Perfect. Healthy striving is self-focused – How can I improve? Perfectionism – is other focused – What will they think?” End quote.
    1. What will they think?
7. 1. Brene Brown Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead: “Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving for excellence. Perfectionism is not about healthy achievement and growth. Perfectionism is a defensive move. It’s the belief that if we do things perfectly and look perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame.”
9. Agnes M. Stairs, Smith, Zapolski, Combs, and Settles: Clarifying the construct of perfectionism Assessment 2012 732 people
  1. 15 different perfectionism measures -- Factor analytic modeling
10. 1. Found nine different personality traits associated with perfectionism: Need for Order, Need for Satisfaction of a Job Well Done, Details and Checking, Perfectionism toward Others, High Personal Standards, Black and White Thinking about Tasks, Perceived Pressure from Others, Dissatisfaction with Personal Performance, Reactivity to Mistakes.
11. 1. 9 personality trait...