Unraveling the Factors Behind Student Procrastination: Laziness or Something More?

Abstract

Causes of Procrastination among Students Research Question: Is procrastination among students all about laziness or there are other underlying factors that enhance procrastination? Abstract Procrastination is a global concern as proves self- harming to its victims most especially the students as it negatively affects their academic performances. Procrastination is an involuntary delay to do something. To this effect, this experimental study aims at investigating the underlying factors that foster procrastination among American students. Is laziness among the major forces that enhance delays in attending academic works among students? The current study hypothesizes that laziness plays a major role in defining the students’ attitude towards academic dedication. Most students procrastinates their academic tasks to attend activities that suit their interests assuming they still have time for their academics. The study consist a sample of 202 undergraduate students from a major Public American University males (n= 103) and females (n=99) randomly sampled. This experimental study used procrastination scale and standardized scales of perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and fatigue and life satisfaction to evaluate variables of interest in the study (Procrastination and laziness) among the selected sample. Results of the study indicated that most students procrastinate due to negative attitude towards a given academic task attributed to laziness to commit to the challenge. 90% of the sample 55% males and 35% of female confirmed that complexities of some courses fosters negative attitude towards the course leading many students to embrace procrastination. However, this study recommends considerations on the extent of effect that fear of failure and lack of self-regulation enhance laziness and foster procrastination in students leading to poor academic performances.