Trait perfectionism and competitiveness: Conceptual similarities and differences in a lab-based competitive task

Abstract

Trait perfectionism has often been studied in competitive situations. Although past research has examined trait perfectionism and competitiveness, the two constructs have not been directly compared in a lab-based competitive task. The primary objectives of the study were to examine the associations between the three facets of the Multidimensional Perfectionism scale and the four facets of the Competitiveness Orientation Measure in a competitive performance and with self-reported participant motivations and strategies over several competitive rounds. Pairs of participants (N = 70) completed the self-report trait measures and then competed in a series of timed letter search tasks. Three separate hierarchical regressions were conducted with perfectionism and competitiveness facets as the predictors and competitive performance, motivations and strategies as the respective criterion variables. The results demonstrate the unique contribution that both trait perfectionism and competitiveness have in association with their overall performance in a competitive task, motivation for competing, and for the particular self-reported strategies used during competitive rounds. Similarities and differences between the two scales are discussed.