THE INCIDENCE OF PERFECTIONISM IN GIFTED STUDENTS

Using the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Frost et al., 1990) pe rfectionism scores were compared between a group of 600 students ident ified as academically talented and a group of 418 peers from the gener al cohort. In this nationally gathered sample, all students were sixth graders and of similar socioeconomic status. Findings indicated littl e difference between the mean scores of the two groups. Comparisons we re also made between the gifted students and the general cohort using an empirical typology of perfectionism. This analysis did not indicate a statistically significant difference in the frequency of perfection istic types between gifted students and the general cohort. These find ings suggest that the frequent anecdotal reports of greater perfection ism among the gifted may be a product of differential labeling pattern s of similar behaviors when demonstrated by gifted students and the ge neral cohort. A greater distinction between perfectionistic striving's which stimulate excellence and those perfectionistic strivings which frustrate and inhibit achievement needs to be made.