DIMENSIONS OF PERFECTIONISM AND IRRATIONAL FEARS - AN EXAMINATION WITH THE FEAR SURVEY SCHEDULE

The present research investigated the association between dimensions o f perfectionism and specific fears. A sample of 189 university student s completed the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) and the Fea r Survey III. The MPS provides measures of self-oriented, other-orient ed, and socially prescribed perfectionism. Analyses revealed that both self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism were associated w ith specific fears about failure, making mistakes, losing control, and feeling angry. As expected, socially prescribed perfectionism was als o associated with fears reflecting social evaluative concerns such as being criticized and looking foolish to others. Other-oriented perfect ionism was not associated positively with specific fears. The results are viewed as support for the validity of the perfectionism construct.