Perfectionist Behavior and Expressions of Perfectionism in Drawings of Kindergarteners

Results based on two consecutive qualitative studies are documented in this paper. The first study focused on perfectionist characteristics in drawings of fifth graders. The second study was designed based on the findings from the earlier study, but it focused on drawings of kindergarteners at this time. Children’s drawings were analyzed to see meaningful connections between their behavioral perfectionism scores and their drawing characteristics. Findings were partly consistent with the literature and revealed that perfectionist behavior may have meaningful expressions in the art-making process and in artworks. Working on specific details meticulously, focusing on time-consuming details, not being able to see the whole, spending too much time on certain parts, and starting from details, were described as perfectionism-related characteristics. As an emerging characteristic, self-doubt, a lesser degree of determination, assurance and boldness in drawings are positively correlated with perfectionism. Subjects’ age group may be a significant factor to study perfectionism, and lower grade levels may not be suitable to study perfectionism through drawings because of their artistic developmental levels.

REFERENCES:

• Adelson, J.L. (2007). A perfect case study: Perfectionism in academically talented fourth graders. Gifted Child Today, 30(4), 14-20.
• Basak, R. (2009). Perfectionist tendencies in artistically talented students and educational strategies for teaching these students in the art classroom (Doctoral dissertation, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN). Retrieved from http://gradworks.umi.com/33/54/3354910.html
• Basak, R. (2012). Perfectionist Attitudes of Artistically Talented Students in the Art Classroom. ProcediaSocial and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 5010-5014.
• Dean, B. (2013). The ‘fictitious disease’ called ADHD. Retrieved from http://politicaloutcast.com/the-fictitious-disease-called-adhd/#vTEmH6BoLjCX3bc9.99
• DiPrima, A.J., Ashby, J.S. Gnilka, & Noble, C.L. (2011). Family relationships and perfectionism in middle-school students. Psychology in the Schools, 48(8).
• Hamachek, D.E. (1978). Psychodynamics of normal and neurotic perfectionism. Psychology, 15, 27-33.
• LoCicero, K.A., Blasko, L.S., Ashby, J.S., Martin, J.L., Bruner, L.P., Edge, C.A., & Kenny, M-C. (2001). Multidimensional perfectionism and coping resources in middle school students. Conference paper presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychological Association (109th, San Francisco, CA, August 24-28, 2001).
• Merriam, S.B. (1998). Qualitative research and case study applications in education. San Francisco: Cossey-Bass.
• Miller, A.L., Lambert, A.D., & Speirs Neumeister, K.L. (2012). Parenting style, perfectionism, and creativity in high-ability and high-achieving young adults. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 35(4), 344-365.
• Nugent, S.A. (2000). Perfectionism: Its manifestations and classroom-based interventions. The Journal of Secondary Gifted Education, XI(4), 215-221.
• Orange, C. (1997). Gifted students and perfectionism. Roeper Review, 20(1), 39-41.
• Reis, S.M. (2002). Internal barriers personal issues, and decisions faced by gifted. Gifted Child Today Magazine, 25(1), 1076-2175.
• Rice, K., Ashby, J., & Slaney, R. (1997). Adaptive and maladaptive dimensions of perfection ism. Unpublished manuscript, Michigan State University.
• Rice, K.G., & Preusser, K.J. (2002). The adaptive/maladaptive perfectionism scale. Measure ment and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 34(1), 210-222.
• Silverman, L.K. (1994). Attention deficit disorders. Understanding Our Gifted, 6(5), 10-13.
• Stairs, A.M., Smith, G.T., Zapolski, T.C.B., Combs, J.L., Settles, R.E. (2012). Clarifying the construct of perfectionism. Assessment, 19(2):146-166.
• Stornelli, D., Flett, G.L., & Hewitt, P.L. (2009). Perfectionism, achievement, and affect in children: A comparison of students from gifted, arts, and regular programs. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 24(4), 267-283.
• Tofaha, G.A. & Ramon, P.R. (2010). Perfectionism and self-concept among primary school children in Egypt. Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology, 8(3), 1099-1114.
• Yavuzer, H. (1992). Resimleriyle Cocuk. Remzi Kitabevi: Istanbul.