Against this background, the aim of the present study was to investigate the development of perfectionism in a large sample of adolescents using a longitudinal design with two time points spaced 7–9 months apart. To address the question whether the so- cial expectations model may explain the development of perfec- tionism in adolescence, the study focused on the influence of perceived parental expectations and criticism on self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism in adolescents. Perceived parental expectations represent individuals’ subjective beliefs that their parents set high achievement standards for them.