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 this Web site for the first time? Here are some suggestions: 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. PODCASTS - Weekly updates are back at iProcrastinate Podcasts  AUDIOBOOS - No time for a full podcast? Check out my new "procrastination boo" at audioBoo (link to the right). These daily short recordings are an experiment for the summer of 2009. If you like them, let me know! 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). More recent research is highlighted below the cartoon as well.  CARTOON - If you want to smile, check out the Carpe Diem cartoons. Some of the most recent are below, and the archive can be found at the link to the right. The latest cartoon is here. ABOUT DR. PYCHYL - You can learn more about my work here. Recent Research & Publications 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. 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 cartoon below captures these results (see more at Carpe Diem) 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.   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 procrastination. Paper 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 cartoon below captures these results (see more at Carpe Diem) 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. Abstract Identity has been positively related to agency. Agency theoretically confers the capacity for action required for timely task completion. Given this theoretical link between identity and procrastination, we hypothesized that level of ego identity development would be negatively related to procrastination. Participants (101 female, 38 male) completed the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status-revised, the Procrastination Assessment Scale – Students, and the General Procrastination Scale. Diffusion (r = .22) and Moratorium (r = .30) status scores showed significant positive correlations with an aggregate measure of procrastination, Achievement status scores (r = !.34) yielded a negative correlation, and Foreclosure status scores showed no significant correlation. A regression of the four identity status scores on procrastination while controlling for gender was significant (R2 = .19, F(5, 133) = 6.09, p < .001) withMoratorium and Achievement scores accounting for the variance in the aggregate procrastination measure. These findings support both our hypothesis of a negative relation of identity status to procrastination and the theoretical link between agency and procrastination. The opposite relation of Moratorium and Achievement to procrastination is explained in terms of Erikson’s ego synthetic and executive functions and their link to the identity dimensions of exploration and commitment. Speaking of identity and procrastination . . . Carpe Diem captures it! 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 . . . Check out my new audioblog at audioboo.  3-minute "boos" about procrastination (RSS) Psychology Today Blog - "Don't Delay" Updated weekly Updated Weekly New comic Sept 21st! 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 End Procrastination Now msn. health & fitness By Rachel Mahan Facebook & Procrastination The Charlatan By Brett Ruskin 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) 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 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) Stand and Deliver By Maia Szalavitz Psychology Today Other articles of interest from Psychology Today 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)
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