Perfectionism and Goal Orientations Among Chinese Gifted Students in Hong Kong

Abstract

Positive and negative perfectionism as well as four goal orientations were assessed in a sample of 315 Chinese gifted students in Hong Kong. These students tended to endorse positive perfectionism more than negative perfectionism and prefer learning and social goals over performance and avoidance goals. Learning and social goal orientations emerged as significant predictors in the prediction of positive perfectionism, whereas performance and avoidance goal orientations emerged as significant predictors for negative perfectionism. Implications of the findings for promoting healthy strivings for excellence through setting different goals are discussed.

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Notes on contributors

David W. Chan

This study was supported in part by a direct grant for research from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.