Have you ever wondered why some of us arrange things in a certain way with incredible care, while others leave chaos around them? Is pedantism just a propensity for perfection, or something more?
In the course of this article, you will learn about the various aspects of pedantism, and we will consider whether it can only be an outward manifestation of perfectionism, or whether it nevertheless hides deeper psychological mechanisms?
Pedantism a disorder or a character trait? What is pedantism?
The term “pedantism” can be used both in the context of a character trait and in the context of certain behaviors considered unsuitable for the situation. Pedantism usually refers to excessive attention to detail, strict adherence to rules and norms, and a focus on small, sometimes insignificant details. In the context of a character trait, pedantism can mean a constant and natural inclination toward thoroughness, orderliness and adherence to established norms. In this case, it can be seen as one of many personality-forming traits.
On the other hand, pedantism can also be understood as a negative trait, especially when a person exaggerates attention to detail, leading to excessive perfectionism or neglect of more important aspects. The final assessment depends on the context and the degree to which pedantism affects a person’s functioning and relationships with those around him. Her pedantism can affect daily functioning, causing stress and relationship problems. In some cases, certain pedantic traits can be positively perceived as meticulousness and diligence, while in other situations they can even lead to interpersonal conflicts.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder vs. extreme pedantism
Pedantism should not be viewed solely as a love of order and perfectionism. Pedants experience extreme emotions, and are often accompanied by intrusive thoughts, which can even take the form of obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD (obsessive compulsive neurosis). Pedantry can become an obsession when even superfluous things on the table or arranged in the wrong way are disturbing to the point that they lead to intrusive thoughts.
The main difference between extreme pedantism and OCD is that pedantism can be a personality trait, while OCD is a mental disorder. Pedantism can be adaptive in some situations, while OCD always negatively affects functioning.
A study by Wheaton et al. (2018) found that people with OCD often experience higher levels of stress and poorer quality of life than those without the disorder.
People with this type of difficulty are unable to stay in a mess, it triggers strong emotions in them, and they feel an inner compulsion to put things in order. Pedantry is also a way of discharging emotions, primarily anxiety and fear. Excessive attention to order or cleanliness mania makes the pedant gain a sense of control. He can achieve a sense of calm. Of course, this is erroneous thinking that becomes a source of problems. Very often it is the case that the obsession deepens to the point where the person begins to lose control over behavior. The pedant has mood swings over time, his actions evoke conflicting emotions in him, causing satisfaction and frustration at the same time.
Pedantism vs. perfectionism
Excessive pedantism with perfectionism has a lot in common. It can even be said that if someone is a perfectionist, he also becomes pedantic. Pedantism is a characteristic trait of perfectionists. A pedant strives for perfection and claims that something can always be done better. Even if someone tries very hard to get the desired result, a completely satisfying result, unfortunately he always remains dissatisfied and frustrated. A perfectionist is unable to enjoy what he has already done, even if he has succeeded in achieving something out of the ordinary. The pursuit of perfectionism often extends to all spheres of life, that is, to be the best at everything. This is a straightforward path to the occurrence of feelings of burnout and overload. Perfectionists are unable to stay amidst clutter, which often leads to obsessive cleanliness behaviors.
In the case of a perfectionist, every area of life is supposed to be perfect, and any shortcomings drive him or her off balance. The pedant, on the other hand, focuses on keeping things clean and tidy. The worst combination, of course, is perfectionism and pedantism, which becomes downright obsessive. For perfectionists, it is crucial that specific elements of their lives, the ones they care about, be according to their expectations.
Who is a pedant? Pedantism – symptoms
Pedantism can manifest itself in different ways, but the most characteristic is obsession, related to the care of order and cleanliness. The pedant spends a great deal of time cleaning, and tries to do it in a perfect way. He arranges everything, constantly wiping and washing something. There must always be order around him, otherwise he is torn by extreme emotions. You can recognize a pedant by his meticulousness, he is a person who gives the impression of being very orderly. It is enough to look into his closet to see what perfect order reigns in it. It is not uncommon for everything to be color-ordered and perfectly ironed. Pedantic people often can’t relax or concentrate until the entire apartment is perfectly cleaned.
Pedants put everything in its place, this applies, for example, to the remote control on the coffee table, shoes on a particular shelf. They even park their car in the same place under a business or store. All it takes is for something to be rearranged, his parking space to be occupied, and he will begin to feel intense anxiety and anger. A pedant is also recognized by his penchant for giving orders, conducting others. He wants others to act in the way he has planned for himself. It also happens that the pedant encourages others to be like himself. You can also recognize him by the fact that he is irritated by people who tend to be messy and lack systematic.
In summary, symptoms of pedantism include:
- Perfectionism.
- Excessive attention to order or personal hygiene.
- Giving the impression of being an orderly person.
- A tendency to conduct others.
- Obsessive cleaning.
- Making sure everything is in its place.
- Meticulousness.
- Operating strictly according to a set schedule.
- Various areas of a pedantic person’s life are subordinated by rigid rules.
Causes of pedantism
The causes of pedantism can vary, so an individual approach and finding the root of the problem is key. Some scientists believe that people are born with certain inclinations to pedantism. Others, on the other hand, believe that genetic conditions have nothing to do with it. However, it is estimated that some people may have more developed reactivity or neuroticism, making them more susceptible to obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The cause of pedantism is most often considered to be abnormalities on the part of the nervous system. In this case, pedantic behavior may be noticeable as early as childhood. Of course, it must be emphasized right away that the mere tendency to pedantism is not enough for a person to develop the disease. It becomes more susceptible, but there must still be additional factors.
A huge influence on the onset of pedantism is upbringing, the way parents treat their children. Placing high demands on them, constantly criticizing and punishing them for small mistakes contributes to personality disorders.
The young mind is very receptive, so it is the parents and the immediate environment that have the greatest impact on the child’s mental health. Most often, perfectionism becomes apparent in young people, around the age of 20. If the parents are pedants, the child can also become so, because he observes their behavior and begins to duplicate it. Being a perfectionist as a result of parents’ high expectations makes such a person pedantic. Even if one has experienced this in childhood, it projects into adult life – it manifests itself in doing everything to the best of one’s ability, following a plan.
In some people pedantism occurs as a result of high anxiety, a strong need to exercise control over one’s life. Pedants are accompanied by anxiety when there is chaos around them. They need to take control of it and bring their own order to calm themselves down.
The cause of pedantism can be various mental disorders such as personality disorders, neurosis, obsessiveness, Asperger’s syndrome, etc.
Moderate pedantism
Of course, moderate pedantry can be useful, but only if it does not lead to obsession and compulsion.
Here are some benefits of moderate meticulousness:
- Organization and efficiency. People with moderate pedantry are often very organized. Attention to detail and order help them plan effectively, which in turn helps them perform their daily duties more efficiently.
- Precision in action. Pedantic people tend to place importance on precision in completing tasks. This attitude can lead to better quality work, especially in areas that require precision, such as academic work, design or art.
- Satisfaction with accomplishments. A moderate degree of pedantry can be associated with a sense of satisfaction with the results achieved. Seeing that everything is arranged and organized can bring satisfaction and increase life satisfaction.
- Focus on the task. Pedantic people are usually able to focus on a single task, eliminating unnecessary distractions. This promotes more focused thinking and more efficient work.
- Exaggerated attention to detail in relationships. Moderate pedantry can also manifest itself in interpersonal relationships. These individuals pay attention to small gestures, which can be appreciated by others. They pay attention to details, which can contribute to building more satisfying relationships.
While emphasizing these benefits, it is important to understand that moderate pedantry is beneficial when it is balanced and does not lead to excessive perfectionism. The key is to find a balance between attention to detail and flexibility,
Pedantism treatment – what are the treatment methods? Can a specialist help?
Even if someone has obsessive-compulsive disorder, he or she can still begin to function normally. The key, of course, becomes taking treatment, understanding the problem that has arisen and consciously counteracting pedantism. The first step is to notice that you have abnormal behaviors that negatively affect daily functioning. The next step, of course, will be to go to a specialist who will conduct a thorough medical history, perform the appropriate tests to make a correct diagnosis and implement an effective treatment method.
Pedantism is not a disease that requires specialized treatment, but if it greatly affects the deterioration of daily life, then professional help should be sought. Professional support is advisable, which means, first of all, meeting with a psychologist or psychotherapist. The psychologist will help cope with the problems, show ways to level anxiety.
The recommended treatment for pedantism is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Therapy can be used to understand, change and treat the thoughts and behaviors associated with a pedantic approach to life. The goal of treatment is to get rid of the patient’s misconceptions that drive him or her to behave pedantically. Behavioral experiments are introduced that can be helpful in breaking certain troublesome habits.
For character traits such as pedantism, which are not considered a mental illness in the clinical sense, pharmacotherapy (drug treatment) is not usually the first choice. Pharmacotherapy is mainly used to treat diagnosable mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
However, if pedantism is a feature of a broader spectrum of problems, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), then a psychiatrist may consider pharmacotherapy. In the case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, drugs from the serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) group are used, which can be used as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Living with a pedant. How to help a pedantic person?
Pedantism is not a dangerous disease, but it can be very tiring for those around you. Being with a pedant on a daily basis is often a nuisance, affecting relationships negatively. Pedantic behavior can result in problems both at work and in relationships (read: toxic complaining). It is important to act appropriately, i.e. not to make the pedant angry in order to make him angry. The pedant cleans up and is relieved; if he didn’t, he would be full of fear and anxiety. It is advisable to let him do some activities that he has planned for himself. There is no point in changing the pedant by force, but you also can’t remain passive and give in to his will. Changes should be made slowly, moving forward in small steps.
It is also very important to take care of your boundaries. Unfortunately, pedants have a tendency to utter unpleasant words toward their loved ones the moment something doesn’t go their way.
If a loved one develops symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a visit to a specialist should be suggested. Obsessive comp ulsive disorder requires treatment, because over time the patient’s condition worsens and a number of additional symptoms develop.
Do you have perfectionism/pedantism tendencies?
Tendencies to perfectionism can be spoken of as early as in children, they appear in early childhood. They are mainly observed in gifted children who succeed in school due to their talents. They do their best, but despite this they face criticism from their parents. They have exorbitant and even unrealistic expectations of them. Not surprisingly, children strive to be even better, at all costs. They do this to finally hear kind words and praise, to see satisfaction and pride in their parents.
The tendency toward perfectionism can be expressed by workaholism, or addiction to work. It is associated with high stress, insufficient rest, health and family problems, low efficiency. Perfectionists and pedants are afraid of failure, bad judgment, or criticism from others.
If a person has an idealistic self-image, he becomes prone to perfectionism and pedantism. It is difficult for such a person to talk about his fears and failures. This develops in people for whom everything is black or white, with no shades of gray. People who are closed to criticism are prone to perfectionism and pedantism, reacting to it defensively so that their image does not suffer.
Find out if you are a pedant. Test for pedantism.
Below you will find eight questions to assess your level of pedantism. Remember that this test is indicative and not a substitute for a professional evaluation. If you feel that pedantism significantly affects your daily functioning, it is worth consulting a psychologist or therapist. Make an appointment – online psychotherapy
- Do you often find yourself in situations where you are wasting your time perfecting something that is already sufficient for others?
Yes: 3 points
No: 0 points
- Do you find yourself putting off tasks because you are waiting for the perfect conditions to complete them?
Yes: 3 points
No: 0 points
- Have you noticed that you find it difficult to accept when things go differently than planned?
Yes: 3 points
No: 0 points
- Do you have an obsessive need to keep your surroundings in order, and does any disorder cause you anxiety?
Yes: 3 points
No: 0 points
- Do friends or family comment that you are too strict with yourself and others on issues of accuracy?
Yes: 3 points
No: 0 points
- Do you happen to think about what could have been done better, even when you have achieved success?
Yes: 3 points
No: 0 points
- Have you noticed that you find it difficult to accept when others perform tasks on their terms, even if the result is satisfactory?
Yes: 3 points
No: 0 points
- Do you happen to spend too long thinking about small things instead of focusing on the bigger picture?
Yes: 3 points
No: 0 points
Interpretation of results:
0-10 points: low level of pedantry.
12-24 points: medium level of pedantry, it is recommended to pay attention to some areas.
27-30 points: high level of pedantism, consultation with a professional is suggested.