The Influence of Perfectionism on Academic Self-Concept

In today’s academic environment, there is a tenacious effort to better educate our children. Unfortunately, federal and local budget constraints often limit our ability to create highly effective learning environments. As educators, it becomes our task to identify cost effective activities that will have a positive impact on our student’s education. A child’s academic self-concept is an important factor to academic success. Further, the rating of performance and desire for perfection are activities found in most every academic situation. The purpose of the present study was to explore the influence of perfectionism on academic self-concept. From a sample of one hundred and thirty five college students, the present study found evidence that a student’s academic self-concept is positively influenced by high personal standards, being organized, and low self-doubt. Educators could consider incorporating cost effective activities known to influence organization skills, personal standards, and self-doubt into education curriculum.