Neurocognitive Correlates of Positive and Negative Perfectionism

The present study examined the neurocognitive correlates of positive and negative perfectionism. A clinical sample of 160 patients undergoing standard neuropsychological testing was administered the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale (PANPS), a 40-item questionnaire measure of positive and negative perfectionism. The main question addressed in the study was how individual differences in positive and negative perfectionism relate to differences in neurocognitive performance. The general hypotheses to be tested were that positive perfectionism would be associated primarily with tests that relied on mental and physical "effort," while negative perfectionism would be associated with tests involving both "speed and accuracy." The results of the study provided general support for these hypotheses. Implications for the perfectionism literature and sports psychology are briefly discussed.