ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a review of the research literature examining perfectionism from a motivational perspective. It analyses the differential relationships that the two dimensions show with key motivational constructs focusing on achievement motivation and self-determination theory. The chapter examines the relationships with autonomous and controlled motivation and with the different regulatory styles associated with intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation. Research on motives differentiates three basic motives or needs—the achievement motive, the affiliation motive, and the power motive. The chapter explains the two-component model of achievement goals: task goals and ego goals. The two goals have different foci and different functionalities. When pursuing task goals, people are focused on meeting the demands of the task, exerting effort, and developing their competence. By contrast, when pursuing ego goals, people are focused on demonstrating superior competence with respect to others or normative standards, which may result in greater apprehension about one's ability, but can also lead to higher performance.
