The basic psychological needs in excellencism and perfectionism: A dual perspective with the need-as-motives and the need-as-nutriments frameworks

Perfectionism has been theorized as a risk factor for psychological need frustration. However, past studies on basic psychological needs often reported ambiguous and unexpected findings for perfectionistic standards. The Model of Excellencism and Perfectionism (MEP) recently distinguished between perfectionistic standards and the pursuit of high yet attainable standards (excellencism). This study investigated their distinct associations with basic psychological needs, using measures taken from the need-as-motives and the need-as-nutriments perspectives. Young adults ( n = 305) completed the Scale of Perfectionism and Excellencism and various measures of need-related constructs. A multivariate multiple regression supported the hypothesis that excellencism and perfectionism are differentially linked with psychological needs. Excellencism was positively associated with three approach-oriented motives (need for achievement, affiliation, power) and satisfaction with the need for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. Conversely, pursuing perfectionistic standards was positively linked to two avoidance-oriented motives (e.g., fear of failure and losing control) and frustration with the three basic psychological needs. These findings reconcile research and theories by showing that pursuing perfection is not associated with adaptive psychological needs. Perfectionistic standards are linked to two avoidance-oriented motives (i.e., fear of failure and losing control) and frustration of basic psychological needs when properly distinguished from excellencism.