Date on Honors Thesis

Spring 5-1-2026

Major

Psychology

Minor

Biology

Examining Committee Member

Daniel Wann, PhD, Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Jana Hackathorn, PhD, Committee Member

Examining Committee Member

Patrick Cushen, PhD, Committee Member

Abstract/Description

Perfectionism is often defined as “high standards of performance which are accompanied by tendencies for overly critical evaluations of one’s own behavior” (Frost et al., 1990, p. 450). Although striving for high standards is characteristic of perfectionism, it is also a central concept of the construct of excellencism, that is striving for standards that are both high and attainable. Research has made a distinction between the pursuit of perfection and pursuit of excellence, suggesting perfectionists strive for high unattainable standards, whereas excellencists strive for high yet reasonable standards with more areas of flexibility (Gaudreau et al., 2022).  These differences have been examined in domains such as academics and creativity.  However, less is known about how these constructs relate to cognitive functioning, more specifically cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility is the ability to discern alternative solutions, behaviors, situations to adapt to everyday life (Vander Wal & Dennis, 2010). The current study aims to examine how an individual’s tendency to lean towards perfectionism or excellencism is associated with degree of cognitive flexibility. It was hypothesized that perfectionism would be negatively correlated with cognitive flexibility, and that excellencism would be positively correlated with cognitive flexibility. After conducting a Pearson’s correlation test the results indicated that perfectionism was not significantly correlated with cognitive flexibility, while excellencism was positively correlated to cognitive flexibility. Additionally, an exploratory analysis was conducted, including GPA and being described as a perfectionist, through both a Pearson’s correlation and regression model. This indicated that GPA and being described as a perfectionist was significantly correlated to perfectionism.  These results suggest that more complex processes might be involved in the relationship between perfectionism, excellencism, and cognitive flexibility.

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