A conversation on perfectionism

Guests: Patricia DiBartolo, Noa Kageyama, Gordon Flett

[From the Radio Times archive] While we as a culture often romanticize and admire the work ethic of perfectionists like Michael Jackson, Steve Jobs, and Martha Stewart, a study in Review of General Psychology suggests that perfectionism is even more detrimental to well-being than previously thought. Perfectionism often inhibits progress and output, and can be caused by forces both external and internal. Today, we talk about what it means to be a perfectionist – the good, the bad, and how and why to treat it. We’re joined PATRICIA DiBARTOLO, professor of clinical psychology and adolescent anxiety disorders at Smith College and GORDON FLETT, professor of psychology at York University. We’ll also talk with Performance Psychologist for the Juilliard School and for the New World Symphony in Miami, NOA KAGEYAMA. Marty spoke with them all last fall.