Member-only story
Perfectionism as a Higher Cognitive Ability
Perfectionism is often described as the relentless pursuit of flawlessness, a voice whispering, “It’s not good enough.” However, this perspective is limited and oversimplifies a profound concept. At its core, perfectionism is driven by a skill possessed by the spatially gifted — a skill involving infracognition and metacognition. Understanding and mastering the nuances of this ability can be incredibly valuable, especially in the era of AI. Let’s explore a fresh perspective on perfectionism that might change how you view and use it.
Traditional View of Perfectionism:
The conventional understanding of perfectionism as an unyielding quest for flawlessness is well-documented in psychological literature. Researchers have associated perfectionism with both adaptive and maladaptive outcomes. Adaptive perfectionism involves high standards and conscientiousness, while maladaptive perfectionism is linked to self-criticism and anxiety (Stoeber & Otto, 2006).
However, our understanding of giftedness, neurodiversity, and high sensitivity has evolved. We now recognize that our previous views of these diverse groups were often simplistic. The notion that a gifted individual feels a need to be perfect seems peculiar when considered outside the context of our education system.
