ABSTRACT
This chapter describes issues relating to perfectionism in dance, especially in classical ballet. It describes the perfectionism as people have seen it manifest in dance and especially in classical ballet. As reported in recent literature, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be very helpful in working with persons with perfectionistic personalities. At the more cognitive end of CBT there are a number of strategies which may be used to target the contingent self-esteem which underlies perfectionism. According to achievement goal theory (AGT) performers can judge their competence in two ways; normatively or in reference to themselves. These are termed ego and task orientations, respectively. While research in the area often matches the own experiences, people believe that a focus on motivational vulnerability and curvilinear relationships between perfectionism and performance. In terms of working with dancers, people believe a range of sport psychology, positive psychology, and CBT-based strategies offer means of supporting dancers as they deal with the negative sides of perfectionism.
