Perceived Task Difficulty and Procrastination in College Students

Item

Media: Full Text PDF

Title: Perceived Task Difficulty and Procrastination in College Students
Author: Max Hebing
Faculty Sponsor: Jaime Cloud; Gavin Keulks
Date: 6/1/2016
Abstract: The present study examined the potential effects of task difficulty on the level of procrastination in college students. I hypothesized that an increase in the perceived difficulty of a task would increase procrastination. Participants were randomly separated into two groups. While both groups took the same “test”, each group received a different description of the test prior to being sent the link through e-mail. One group received a description of an easy task, while the other group received a description of a difficult task. Procrastination was measured as time taken to initiate the test (Time A), time taken to complete the test (Time B), and Total Time. Time A was significantly longer for participants in the “difficult” group, t(41)=-2.286, p=.027, r^2=.1182. Total Time was also significantly higher for this group, t(41)=-3.028, p=.039, r^2=.1903.
Type: Text; Honors Thesis
Department: Honors Program
Keywords: Procrastination; Task Difficulty; Students; College
Language: eng
Rights: Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/01/2023, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Identifier: honors_theses/98