Escaping Perfectionism

In this episode of Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedanta interviews psychologist Thomas Curran about his research on perfectionism. Curran shares personal experiences that led him to study the psychological consequences of living in a culture obsessed with appearance and achievement. He discusses the increasing levels of perfectionism among young people, its association with negative mental health outcomes, and the three types of perfectionism: self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed. The episode also explores strategies for escaping the perfectionist trap, such as challenging rigid thinking and focusing on the work itself rather than seeking validation. In the second part of the podcast, Shankar answers listener questions about social disconnection and connective labor with sociologist Allison Pugh.