The Concept Of Perfectionism
A Brief Philosopy And Psychology; Neal 2nd; By:Zubyr Hussain
The Main Question
Is Perfection An Illusion? Is It Truly Achievable?
A Brief Introduction
Psychology is the study of the mind. Philosophy is merely the attempt at explaining what one is trying to perceive. Perfection is defined, as the standard of "nothing less than perfect" (Science Daily). These definitions are what we make them to be. They are defined as per our standards. Psychology and philosophy today isn't the same as it was back 20 years ago. Same with Perfection. We all live in a constantly changing environment. With such change comes spontaneous phenomena (Stimuli interaction creating events) and with such change comes variability. Variability in interpretation, perceptions, thoughts, and beliefs in us. We as beings created these abstract concepts to explain this phenomena in our daily lives. Is perfection an illusion? Can it be achievable? There is a flaw in perfectionism. Perfectionism is all an illusion and it isn't truly achievable.
The Purpose Of Explaining Perfection.....
Perfection is what one makes it to be. It is what one sees in his/herself without flaw. The very mechanism of perfectionism possesses a sense of idealism (the abstract thought that takes place in an imaginative fashion) and realism (the reality as it is observable). These two factors explain the purpose of perfection. Perfection serves to make one strive for becoming better and achieving their potential as per their standards. Understanding the different aspects of perfection and how it works can help us beings live with a better mindset that can help us fulfill our lives on this earth with positivity. Also, learning about perfection can help provide insight and different approaches as solutions in abnormal psychology and Cognitive and humanistic therapy. Knowing the reality of how perfection works can help develop a better mindset which means that accepting the realism of perfection can help one move on with life living with positivity and acceptance. This should help with cognitive and humanistic disorders (irrational mindset) and explain that there are always problems and that no one is truly perfect (Humanities and Social Sciences Online). This acceptance means avoiding several unnecessary imperfections which means a better sense of fulfillment and living
About Perfectionism in General
Though there are several definitions to perfection. We'll keep the general definition in mind. Perfectionism is the belief of attaining perfection. Perfection has its several definitions. It can be defined as "accepting nothing less of perfection" (Frank 27). It can be seen as achieving "everything good in one's potential" (Flett 14). It can be anything to do with how one sees this perfection. What distinguishes perfection in these interpretations are it's standards. Standards, in this context, refers to the criteria that qualifies the state of perfection. One can call him/her self perfect as of now if he/she feels that way. One may not claim to be perfect because it doesn't match the standards associated with that term. There is no definite answer. There will always be some sort of variability in how it is seen. It has its pros and cons. It has its certain mindsets associated with it (Iver 1-36).
The Mechanism Of Perfection: The Logic
One must understand that in order to attain perfection, They must use a criteria upon which to claim that they are perfect. It is usually a schemata (mental representation of a concept and things associated with it), the diction associated with it, the end goal, the desire which all serve as a drive for those who want to fulfill perfection. Perfection is without flaw. It is without mistake. It serves as a set point for the "standards we have made for ourselves" (Thowfeek 12). Perfection functions in a way that it creates the ideal-without-flaw standard. This is what drives us beings for perfection. To be the best in our selves. To reduce our flaws and sustain a better sense of living it is supposed to make the best of ourselves by following the flawless idealism. With that in mind, one must consider the pros and cons associated with attaining perfection. It can achieved if one believes in it and not achieved if there isn't any belief in it (MacDonald 1-16). Perfectionism can still be achievable and still be an illusion because it is abstract. Perfection isn't something physical. It is just a mindset filled with the ideally best potential of becoming perfect and living with no problems. Perfection is born because of problems. There are always problems in the being's surrounding, mentally or physically (Pychyl 1-45). It exists and is indefinite. This is because we beings always have some sort of need (the urge to do something) and with that needs comes a drive (the act of fulfilling that need) until that need is satisfied so therefore, there is always a problem. Perfection sets that criteria for solving the problems, to "achieve the best potential in us" (Tsaousides 6-7).
The Pros and Cons Of Perfection
A perfectionist strives for the best and what makes them comfortable. Comfort comes with satisfaction. For example, a perfectionist can do very well in academics and attain good scores, however; If he/she receives a bad grade then the perfectionist will become unsatisfied due to a mistake and since "mistake is failure", this standard of attaining a score less than perfect will reduce the perfectionist's hopes and get possibly very depressed and emotional (Biernsteine 16). Another pro is that others look up to that perfectionist and admire his/her perfection to be better and what he/she is doing. The con is that the perfectionist will have to constantly live up to those unreal standards and will eventually feel "mortified" reaching their breaking point (Biernstine 27) because there will always be a problem. These are examples of a perfectionist. Thus, one must know that with perfection comes a different mindset. This mindset gives great mentality in achieving the perfection in higher potential which means greater persistence but this also means unnecessary perfection is inevitable. The perfectionist might try to fix the imperfect by using their own perfection standards that might ruin the quality of that stimuli (Bermel 6-9). This, technically, results in imperfection.
A Perfection Experiment......
This experiment was conducted to determine whether there was a "relationship between perfectionism and psychological problems" (Shafran and Mansell 24). The purpose of this study was to examine perfectionism and its relationship with mood states among both elite and beginner athletes. A random sample of 44 of these athletes completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale for Athletes (MPS-A). According to a statistical analysis, These tests use certain inventory questions and average all athletes scores into the numbers presented on the graph depending on the category of the question. The numbers presented were used to calculate a chi square value of 9.83 which can be used to find that the p-value is less than .05. Since the p-value is less than .05, one can conclude that there is convincing evidence that there is a relationship between perfectionism and psychological problems (Hewitt 53). From such experiments, there are many such ones out there and there is a lot of variability in responses indicating that there could've been bias in the responses or some environmental factors. We can't truly conclude that there are always problems associated with perfection but rather we have evidence to support that there are downsides to being perfect.
Conclusion: The Final Verdict
Perfection has its own philosopy, Perfection has imperfection in itself. A per this essay, there is evidence in support of the answer that perfectionism is an illusion and it isn't truly achievable as well as addressing that there is also variability in rebuttal to the answer stating that there isn't one definite answer because on cannot truly measure perfection. Depending on what perspectives one sees it through, there is an answer or there are several or there is more than one answer. Perfection is not based on anything at all, it is an independent abstract concept with no definite measure. To understand it is to understand the boon and bane of our sense of living, it what we make it to be. I think so therefore, I am. You think you are perfect so therefore, you are.