Procrastination Scale for Student Populations (PSSP)

Description

The Procrastination Scale, developed by Christine Lay in 1986, is designed to assess the tendency of individuals, particularly students, to delay tasks and responsibilities. This scale serves as a tool for identifying procrastination behaviors, which are common among students facing the pressures of academic deadlines and commitments. The scale consists of a series of statements reflecting different aspects of procrastination, allowing respondents to rate their agreement or frequency of these behaviors on a five-point Likert scale. By analyzing the responses, educators and researchers can gain insights into the prevalence and characteristics of procrastination within student populations.

Authors and Contact Email

Ronald Okada, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M3J 1P3. Email: [email protected]

Purpose

The purpose of the Procrastination Scale is to evaluate the procrastination tendencies of students in academic settings, identifying specific behaviors that correlate with delaying tactics in completing assignments and tasks.

Test Year

1986

Administration Method and Scoring

The scale is administered through self-report questionnaires, where individuals respond to various statements regarding their behavior. Responses are rated on a five-point scale ranging from “Extremely Uncharacteristic” (1) to “Extremely Characteristic” (5). Scoring involves summing the ratings while considering reversed-keyed items for a comprehensive evaluation of procrastination levels.

Reliability and Validity

Information not available.

Factors and Subscales

Information not available.

Keywords

Procrastination, Scale, Student Populations, Academic Delay, Behavior Assessment

Items of ‘Procrastination Scale’

1. I often find myself performing tasks that I had intended to do days before.
2. I do not do assignments until just before they are to be handed in.
3. When I am finished with a library book, I return it right away regardless of the date it is due.
4. When it is time to get up in the morning, I most often get right out of bed.
5. A letter may sit for days after I write it before mailing it.
6. I generally return phone calls promptly.
7. Even with jobs that require little else except sitting down and doing them, I find they seldom get done for days.
8. I usually make decisions as soon as possible.
9. I generally delay before starting on work I have to do.
10. I usually have to rush to complete a task on time.
11. When preparing to go out, I am seldom caught having to do something at the last minute.
12. In preparing for some deadline, I often waste time by doing other things.
13. I prefer to leave early for an appointment.
14. I usually start an assignment shortly after it is assigned.
15. I often have a task finished sooner than necessary.
16. I always seem to end up shopping for birthday or Christmas gifts at the last minute.
17. I usually buy even an essential item at the last minute.
18. I usually accomplish all the things I plan to do in a day.
19. I am continually saying, “I’ll do it tomorrow.”
20. I usually take care of all the tasks I have to do before I settle down and relax for the evening.

Note: Reversed-keyed items: 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20
Note: * indicates items that differ from student to non-student forms

References

Lay, C. (1986). At last, my research article on procrastination. *Journal of Research in Personality*, 20, 474-495.
For more information, please visit: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/procrastination-scale-for-student-populations/