Making the grade: the behavioural consequences of perfectionism in the classroom Peter J. Bieling a, *, Anne Israeli b , Jennifer Smith a , Martin M. Antony a a Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, Canada b Private Practice, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada Received 10 October 2001; received in revised form 16 April 2002; accepted 3 June 2002 Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the behavioural correlates of perfectionism in a real world achievement task and to assess whether perfectionism is associated with self regulation strategies, attribu- tions, and behaviour that is self-defeating. We also examined the predictive validity of the distinction between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism on our dependent measures. A total of 198 students completed questionnaires about perfectionism, their standards, attributions, and behaviours at two time points; one week before their mid-term exam, and one week after receiving their grades. Data were ana- lyzed with a combination of correlational and between group statistics. Overall, individuals high in per- fectionism set a higher standard for the exam, were more likely to fall short of their goals, and experienced more negative affect about the exam, whether they had met their goal or not. There were some important differences between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism; adaptive perfectionism was associated with fewer negative consequences for this achievement situation. Over time, the behaviours and cognitive-emo- tional responses related to perfectionism could lead to significant distress and this research suggests an important potential pathway from perfectionism to psychopathology. # 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Perfectionism; Standard setting; Self regulation; Adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism Theoretical and research interest in the personality construct of perfectionism has grown markedly over the last decade (see Blatt, 1995 for a review) and there has been a particular focus on the negative correlates of perfectionism, including concurrent psychopathology (Antony, Purdon, Huta, & Swinson, 1998; Hewitt & Flett, 1991a, 1991b, 1993; Hewitt, Flett, & Ediger, 0191-8869/03/$ - see front matter # 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S0191-8869(02)00173-3 Personality and Individual Differences 35 (2003) 163–178 www.elsevier.com/locate/paid * Corresponding author. Department of Psychology, St. Joseph’s Hospital, 50 Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 4A6, Canada. Tel.: +1-905-522-1155Â5015; fax: +905-521-6120. E-mail address: pbieling@stjosham.on.ca (P.J. Bieling).