The Perfectionist ?

Case Study 38 Helen Potraffke and Aimee Clark

William
13-year-old art student in Mr. Mercurios class. Does not complete any projects. Is always dissatisfied with his work. Crumbles it up and throws it away.

Mr. Mercurio
After 3 months, William has not turned in a completed project. Realizes that he may have to give William a failing grade.

 Mr. Mercurio tries scolding William for wasting art materials. William visibly does not like being reprimanded, but behavior continues.

Mr. Mercurio keeps William after class to talk.

Why does your work have to be perfect?

Because I dont want to look stupid.

No artwork is stupid. Just try your best. My best is never good enough. Im not good at art. I dont want the other kids to see how bad I really am. How about you finish todays assignment at home and bring it to me in the morning? That way only you and I will see it.

 William agrees to take artwork home, but doesnt bring in a finished project the next morning. At lunchtime, Mr. Mercurio finds William eating alone in the cafeteria. He asks William about the assignment. William says he didnt finish it because he had to do his chores and adds that he will probably never finish it because it looks ridiculous. Lets face it, Im no artist.

 Mr. Mercurio tries a new approach. He shows William a portfolio of student artwork and asks him to find a perfect piece of work.

Although William cannot find a perfect example, he says, These people can do a lot better work than I can. No matter how hard I try, Im not any good at art stuff. It seems to me that some people are just better artists than others.

So you think these people dont have to put much effort into their work because theyre born with artistic talent?

Of course they dont put much effort into it! They wouldnt be laughing and having fun during class if they had to try as hard as I do.

As, Mr. Mercurio walks away, he says

You know, its always the perfectionists who have trouble in my class.

Follow-up
Many students have learned helplessness. Three of the following behaviors suggest William may have learned helplessness. Which one does NOT indicate learned helplessness?
a. He dislikes being reprimanded in class. b. He underestimates his artistic ability. c. He quickly gives up despite Mr. Mercurios encouragement. d. He doesnt turn in any work the following morning.

A mastery goal is a desire to gain new information or skills; a performance goal is a desire to be judged favorably for ones achievements. Does William have a mastery goal or a performance goal in his art class?
Are Mr. Mercurios teaching strategies likely to promote performance goals or mastery goals?