Structure of achievement motive of students with different levels of perfectionism

The research which is described in the contribution was aimed at studying the structure of achievement motive among students with different levels of perfectionism. Indices of perfectionism, emotional maladaptation and achievement motivation, were evaluated in a group of 73 students of Moscow higher education institutions. Students with high indices of perfectionism under the Heckhausen’s TAT projective method showed high total motivation index, which indicates the existence of the so-called “achievement conflict”, in which case the need for achievement of success and fear of failure are equally intense. Such students strongly strive for success, at the same time wishing with the same strength to avoid failure. A correlation of total motivation index and indices of A.Beck’s depression inventory is identified. The received result clarifies the motivational basis of perfectionism which was until now studied from the positions of cognitive approach or trait theory. Achievement conflict may create a inequality of academic progress, imbalance of educational motivation, and drops of productivity. Interests and hobbies of students with an intense achievement conflict may also have an unstable nature.

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