Defining procrastination: A Venn diagram to consider

Abstract

The literature describes diverse yet largely overlapping definitions of procrastination. Aside from a minority of research seeking to support or endorse a positive or ‘active’ form of procrastination, much of the field is generally aligned behind a behaviour (or lack thereof) requiring certain features to be considered procrastination. I understand these features to be (1) intent to complete the task, (2) delay, (3) volition, and (4) an expectation for harm if delayed. If procrastination requires these four features, then procrastination can only exist in the centre of a four-circle Venn diagram, with phenomena tangential to procrastination assumedly existing in surrounding segments. I present to the panel my conception of the procrastination definition Venn diagram (see Figure 1, with credit to Tim Pychyl for his preliminary critique and feedback), with the aim of stimulating a discussion of the factors necessary to define procrastination.

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Panel session 1 – Defining Procrastination: A Venn diagram to consider.
ISSUE FOR DISCUSSION
The literature describes diverse yet largely overlapping definitions of procrastination.
Aside from a minority of research seeking to support or endorse a positive or ‘active’
form of procrastination, much of the field is generally aligned behind a behaviour (or
lack thereof) requiring certain features to be considered procrastination. I understand
these features to be (1) intent to complete the task, (2) delay, (3) volition, and (4) an
expectation for harm if delayed. If procrastination requires these four features, then
procrastination can only exist in the centre of a four-circle Venn diagram, with
phenomena tangential to procrastination assumedly existing in surrounding
segments. I present to the panel my conception of the procrastination definition Venn
diagram (see Figure 1, with credit to Tim Pychyl for his preliminary critique and
feedback), with the aim of stimulating a discussion of the factors necessary to define
procrastination.
Figure 1. Procrastination definition Venn diagram.
To cite this diagram:
Wessel, J. (2021, July 12-13). Defining Procrastination: A Venn diagram to consider.
[Conference presentation]. International Procrastination Research Workshop. Hosted
online by Tim Pychyl (Carleton University) and Joel Anderson (Utrecht University).