Procrastination as evidence of executive functioning impairment in college students

Abstract

Research addressing procrastination behavior has historically focused upon personality and situational factors to explain the nature of this problematic behavior. Although researchers have identified personality traits that are closely associated with procrastination behavior, the literature is sparse in addressing other possible explanations, particularly those related to brain functioning. Considering that procrastination is described with terms such as “poor time management,” “lack of planning,” and “poor judgment,” amongst others, one might consider whether executive functioning systems are functioning adequately in these individuals. Individuals who demonstrate difficulties with executive functioning tend to share the same characteristics that are applied to those who procrastinate. Preliminary self-report research by Jurado and Rosselli found that undergraduates who reported higher levels of procrastination, also reported high levels of executive functioning difficulties. This research project replicated and extended these findings utilizing three common neuropsychological measures of executive functioning. The results from these measures demonstrated that individuals who showed impairment in executive functioning also reported difficulties with executive functioning and procrastination.