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Procrastination Research Group, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON. Department of Psychology email link to Tim_Pychyl@carleton.ca link to Carleton University Home Page Department of Psychology
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cartoon character

 

This web site provides access to information and research related to procrastination. Although our site originates at Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada), it represents a compilation of information and research on procrastination from all over the world.

Are you visiting our website for the first time? Here are some suggestions:

New!The Procrastinator's Digest: New!
A Concise Guide to Solving the Procrastination Puzzle
Check out procrastinatorsdigest.com to learn about Dr. Pychyl's new book!
Order a copy from Amazon
  1. BLOG - If you want to understand your own procrastination, visit my Don't Delay blog on Psychology Today as this is a very good source of concise summaries of the latest research along with helpful tips and strategies for change.
  2. PODCASTS - Weekly updates are back at iProcrastinate Podcasts 
  3. RESEARCH - If you want to know about research in the area, you'll find lots of information on this site including a bibliography (see "Research Resources" in the menu above - Updated April 29, 2010). More recent research is highlighted below the cartoon as well. 
  4. COMICS - If you want to smile, check out the Carpe Diem comics Some of the most recent are below, and the archive can be found at the link to the right. The latest comic is here.
  5. ABOUT DR. PYCHYL - You can learn more about my work here.
Carpe Diem cartoon about to-do lists

Recent Research & Publications

NEW!Wohl, M.J.A., Pychyl, T.A., & Bennet, S.H. (2010). I forgive myself, now I can study: How self-forgiveness for procrastinating can reduce future procrastination. Personality and Individual Differences, 48, 803-808.

Abstract
In the present study, we examined the association between forgiving the self for a specific instance of
procrastination and procrastination on that same task in the future. A sample of 119 first-year University 
students (49 male, 70 female) completed measures of procrastination and self-forgiveness immediately 
before each of two midterm examinations in their introductory psychology course. Results revealed that 
among students who reported high levels of self-forgiveness for procrastinating on studying for the first 
examination, procrastination on preparing for the subsequent examination was reduced. This relation-
ship was mediated by negative affect, such that increased self-forgiveness reduced procrastination by
decreasing negative affect. Results are discussed in relation to the impact of procrastination on self-directed negative affect.

Pychyl, T.A. (2009). Savouring the Flavours of Delay. English Studies in Canada. 34(2-3), 25-29.

Simpson, W.K., & Pychyl, T.A. (2009). In search of the arousal procrastinator: An investigation of the relation between procrastination, arousal-based personality traits and beliefs about procrastination motivations Personality and Individual Differences, 47, 906-911.

Abstract
Arousal procrastination was investigated to determine: (a) If the General Procrastination Scale (GP; Lay, 1986) measures procrastination motivated by arousal, and (b) whether sensation seeking (SS), extraversion (E), and the reducer index (R) account for variance in beliefs about the motivation for academic procrastination. Participants were 311 undergraduate students (60.1% female), primarily Caucasian (63.3%), with a mean age of 20.09 (SD = 3.08). An online questionnaire package included measures of procrastination and 3 arousal-based personality inventories. A factor analysis of the GP and the Sensation Seeking Scale-V (SSS-V; Zuckerman, Eysenck, & Eysenck, 1978) produced 6 factors with the GP and SSS-V items loading on separate factors, indicating no relation. A regression analysis revealed that SS, E, and R together accounted for 5.2%
of the variance in participants’ arousal-related beliefs motivating their procrastination. These results challenge the existing literature claiming that the GP is a measure of arousal procrastination, but do indicate that some individuals believe that their procrastination is motivated by a need for heightened arousal.

The comic below captures these results (see more at Carpe Diem)

Arousal procrastination?

Dann, M., & Pychyl, T.A. (August 4, 2009). Approach and avoidance personal goals: Goal appraisal profiles, congruence with personality and procrastination. Paper presented at the 6th biennial conference on Counseling the Procrastinator in Academic Settings, Toronto, Ontario.  

Carpe Diem cartoon - avoidance and approach goals

Sirois, F., Voth, J., & Pychyl, T.A. (August 4, 2009). "I'll look after my health later": A prospective study of the linkages of procrastination to health and well-being in undergraduate students. Paper presented at the 6th biennial conference on Counseling the Procrastinator in Academic Settings, Toronto, Ontario. 

Haghbin, M., McCaffrey, A., & Pychyl, T.A. (August 5, 2009).  Structural Equation Modelling of the relation between fear of failure and procrastination. Paper presented at the 6th biennial conference on Counseling the Procrastinator in Academic Settings, Toronto, Ontario. 

Heward, E., & Pychyl, T.A. (August 5, 2009). Emotional intelligence, self-control and procrastinationPaper presented at the 6th biennial conference on Counseling the Procrastinator in Academic Settings, Toronto, Ontario. 

Abstract
In this study, we explored the role of emotional intelligence, the ability to accurately appraise, utilize, and regulate emotions, in relation to self-control and procrastination.  A sample of undergraduate students completed a battery of tests including the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue; Petrides & Furnham, 2003), the emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ; Gross & John, 2003), Self-Control Schedule (SCS; Rosenbaum & Ben-Ari, 1985) and the Procrastination Assessment Scale for Students (PASS; Solomon & Rothblum, 1984). A mediated model was tested to determine whether the relation between emotional intelligence and procrastination was mediated by self-control. The results are discussed in relation to self-regulation failure and the central role of emotional regulation in this process.

The comic below captures these results (see more at Carpe Diem)

Carpe Diem cartoon about Emotional Intelligence

Shannahan, M.J., & Pychyl, T.A. (2007). An ego identity perspective on volitional action: Identity status, agency, and procrastination. Personality and Individual Differences, 43, 901-911.

Speaking of identity and procrastination . . . Carpe Diem captures it! Identity crisis?

Research Books & Special Issues

Counseling the procrastinator in academic settings
Edited by H.C. Schouwenburg, C. Lay, T. Pychyl, & J.R. Ferrari
American Psychological Association: Washington, DC. (2004)
Abstract

Procrastination, as a sporadic or chronic response to task engagement, is a pervasive problem for a large number of individuals in many societies. For example, researchers have estimated that in academic settings in North America, over 70% of students exhibit this behavior. Many of these individuals are highly vulnerable to negative consequences such as poor performance, decreased subjective well-being, negative affect, and reduced life achievements.

In Counseling the Procrastinator in Academic Settings, a number of recently designed practical counseling methods for use in academic settings are described with the aim of promoting new intervention that can lead to change. In doing so, the authors also present theories of procrastination and provide an overview of recent research. School counselors, psychologists, educators, and administrators will find this book invaluable as they look for ways to counsel others on procrastination, work habits, productivity, and self-regulation.

Special Issue - Procrastination: Current Issues and New Directions
Journal of Social Behaviour & Personality
(Vol. 15, No. 5 - - Joseph R. Ferrari & Timothy A. Pychyl, Editors)
About this Special Issue

This volume contains 23 articles about both situational and dispositional forms of procrastination. The first section examines Situational Procrastination, particularly academic procrastination. The articles in this section look at personality and individual difference variables, such as self-esteem, perfectionism, and neuroticism; gender comparisons; and different student populations. Other studies on academic procrastination focus on motivational factors, goals, and planning skills. The second section of the issue explores Dispositional Procrastination. Empirical articles cover emotional states associated with procrastination, cognitions and perceptions related to task delays, motivational and attentional aspects of procrastination, and self-deception and optimism aspects of chronic procrastination.
 

 

What's new and in the news . . .

The Procrastinator's Digest Cover
For information
procrastinatorsdigest.com

iProcrastinate podcasts logo
Updated Weekly


Psychology Today Blog - "Don't Delay"
Updated weekly

New comic cartoon

Audioboo Logo

Check out my audioblog at audioboo.  3-minute "boos" about procrastination (RSS)

IN THE NEWS

Procrastination: comment s'en sortir?
lapressaffaires
By Iris Gagnon-Paradis

Stop putting so much off
Investors.com
By Gloria Lau

 Procrastinators often use social networks on the job
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
By Anita Bruzzese

Professor links putting off work to fear of failure
The Toronto Star
By Trish Crawford

A paralyzing fear of
filing taxes

The New York Times
By Charles Delafuente

Work Psychology:
Stop deluding yourself

The Globe and Mail
By Craig Silverman

The popular practice of putting stuff off
The New York Times
By Alina Tugend


Setting New Year's resolutions that work

 healthzone.ca
By Monique Savin

Procrastination: Ten things you should know
Psychology Today
By Hara Estroof Marano

Six Steps to help you beat procrastination
and
Getting things done
Ottawa Citizen
by Donna Jacobs

How to put work off - Constructively
by Cari Tuna
The Wall Street Journal
(for more on this see the NPR interview below)

National Public Radio - Talk of the Nation

Interview and call-in with Dr. Tim Pychyl & Dr. John Perry (Stanford) 

NPR blog

Stop Procrastinating - Right now!
GoodHousekeeping
Melissa Kirsch

Procrastination a Personality Trait
Ottawa Citizen
Jennifer Campbell


Procrastination: The thief of time
By Heather Pringle
NewScientist


workopolis logo
Story and Podcast about procrastination in the workplace


The ToDo Institute on procrastination

Getting out from under - How to stop procrastinating now
By Hara Estroof Marano
Psychology Today

Procrastination 101
The science of putting it off

by Jessica Winter
The Village Voice

Click the stop sign to learn more about dealing with procrastination

 

Is the to-do list doing you in?
By Kathleen McGowan
Psychology Today

Tomorrow, I Love Ya!
Researchers are learning more about chronic dawdlers but see no easy cure for procrastination

By Eric Hoover
The Chronicle of Higher Education
(Subscription required)


Procrastination Nation
National Public Radio Archived broadcast (RealPlayer or Windows Media Player required) 

For a smile . . .

Procrastination is . . .

Gotta get my stuff done

the show with zefrank

(Click on the media type you prefer to use)