Perfectionism of Academically Gifted Primary School Students : The Case of Japan

Abstract

This study focuses on perfectionism in Japanese and North American academically gifted children as it pertains to their potential contribution in the countries seeking progress and global leadership. Perfectionist’ tendencies and the characteristics that typically reveal such tendencies are examined in academically gifted Japanese juku-school students (N=195, average age 11 years 6 months) using the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Frost et al., 1990). A comparison is made with the same age peers living in the United States of America from the Parker and Mills study conducted in 1996. The study revealed a stronger orientation towards perfectionism in academically gifted Japanese children than their American counterparts, especially in terms of their efforts to do their best in their own social milieu. Concluding remarks recognize the difficulties in conducting cross-cultural research.