What Is Perfectionism?

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Perfectionism can both stimulate and suppress creative thinking.

Perfectionists often exhibit one of two types of perfectionism.

Perfectionists can enhance their creativity with a deeper emphasis on flexibility.

The dictionary defines “perfectionism” as “a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable.” In other words, perfectionists are individuals who feel a strong need for flawless or extremely high-quality work. Specifically, they often set very high (often unrealistic) standards for themselves, have a tendency to be overly critical of their mistakes, spend inordinate amounts of time trying to fix small details, and are commonly dissatisfied unless things turn out “perfect.”

Does such a tendency for perfectionism have a negative or positive effect on one's overall creativity? The answer, as you might expect, is somewhat complicated. Let’s take a look.

What Research Says About Perfectionism and Creativity

Perfectionists often exhibit several commanding traits: all-or-nothing thinking, fear of mistakes, overly high standards, self-criticism, difficulty finishing tasks, and a sensitivity to judgment. It’s important to note, however, that perfectionism isn’t the same as being detail-oriented (often, a healthy trait). Rather, perfectionism is usually maladaptive, often causing stress and/or anxiety, preventing an individual from completing tasks, or resulting in feelings of insecurity.

In terms of its influence on creativity, many psychologists describe perfectionism as both a barrier and motivator to creative work. Leon Garber, a licensed mental health counselor and my fellow PT contributor writes:

“Perfectionism can both spur and stifle creativity. It pursues the resolution of paradoxes, which can catalyze innovative and brilliant ideas or art. But it can easily catch you in a trap if you fixate on trying to harmonize irreconcilable extremes. The key is being able to accept your limits.”

“Perfectionism can both spur and stifle creativity. It pursues the resolution of paradoxes, which can catalyze innovative and brilliant ideas or art. But it can easily catch you in a trap if you fixate on trying to harmonize irreconcilable extremes. The key is being able to accept your limits.”

A 2012 article in the Journal of Research in Personality noted that there are two types of perfectionism:

Adaptive perfectionism, which includes high personal standards, careful attention to detail and organization, and persistence in revising work.

Maladaptive perfectionism, which focuses on procrastination, harsh self-criticism, and a fear of making mistakes.

The authors described a study employing multiple measures of creativity including self-reports, behavior, and performance; noting that adaptive perfectionism had a weak positive relationship with creativity, while maladaptive perfectionism had little or a negative relationship with creativity. One of the major conclusions proffered was that perfectionism is not inherently harmful for creative expression; rather it depends on type and intensity.

A 2022 study out of England distinguished between “perfectionism” and “excellencism” (striving for high but realistic standards). Researchers concluded that “excellencism” was positively associated with creativity, while perfectionism was negatively associated with creative thinking. These effects were observed across multiple traits such as divergent thinking, creative self-beliefs, and openness. The overwhelming conclusion was that rigidity, not high standards per se, is what harms creativity.

A more recent (2024) empirical study further clarified the perfectionism/creativity relationship by confirming a multidimensional model; that is, different types of perfectionism have different effects on our creative spirit. The researchers went on to state that adaptive perfectionism is a significant and positive predictor of creativity; maladaptive perfectionism, not so much. Their final conclusions were that not all perfectionism is harmful for our creative output—rather, it is the type of perfectionism that is the determining factor.

What Is Perfectionism?

Take our Perfectionism Test

Find a therapist near me

The overwhelming consensus from this body of research is that adaptive perfectionism typically has a positive effect on creative output by sharpening focus and encouraging persistence, while maladaptive perfectionism tends to inhibit creativity through fear and inhibition. In short, perfectionism can refine creativity, but if it appears too early in the process, it can prevent creativity from happening at all.

Implications: Is Your Perfectionism Maladaptive or Adaptive?

Significant research has confirmed a subtle relationship between perfectionism and creativity. Here are some implications drawn from those studies.

There is sufficient data to support the idea that rigid standards, quite often, diminish creativity, while flexible standards support it.

Fear of making mistakes and harsh self-criticism have a profound effect on the ability to engage in divergent thinking.

Experimentation and risk-taking underscore creative thinking. Perfectionism tends to significantly impede that process.

Several researchers emphasize that the creative process requires lots of free thinking, while perfectionism demands a certain level of control.

Maladaptive perfectionism subscribes to the idea that mistakes are not tolerated; whereas the creative process embraces a certain comfort level with errors as an element of idea generation.

Perfectionists tend to evaluate the final result; whereas a focus more on the number of ideas generated and the number of drafts created early in the process is much more productive.

One of the key conclusions is that while high standards are beneficial, an embrace of rigid standards is detrimental to creative expression.

Final word: Many perfectionists are good at generating ideas—they may just kill those ideas too early in the process.

Garber, Leon (March 24, 2026). Perfectionism. Personal email.

Wigert, B., Reiter-Palmon, R., Kaufman, J.C., & Silva, P.J. (2012). Perfectionism: The good, the bad, and the creative. Journal of Research in Personality, 46(6), 775-779.

Goulet-Pelletier, J.-C., Gaudreau, P., & Cousineau, D. (2022). Is perfectionism a killer of creative thinking? A test of the model of excellencism and perfectionism. British Journal of Psychology, 113(1), 176-207.

Akpur, U. (2024). The investigation of the relationship between perfectionism and creative thinking dispositions. Yaşadikça Eğitim, 38(2), 307-318.

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