Department Chair of Psychology at Smith College, Patricia DiBartolo, spoke about the crippling side effects of perfectionism as a part of Smith’s Chaired Professor Lecture series.
“When Brilliance Backfires: Perfectionism’s Cutting Edge” explores the trends associated with perfectionism. Using letters from Vincent Van Gogh, DiBartolo highlights the depths of this phenomenon and the toll that it can take on the human mind. She explains that though many people view perfectionism as a desirable trait, it can cause an extreme fear of failure and paralyze those who suffer from it.
This lecture was recorded on February 2nd, 2016 in Seelye Hall at Smith College.
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