Abstract:
Procrastination as a chronic delay in task execution is primarily understood in terms of judgmental
categories and conceptual frameworks that explicitly or implicitly imply certain deficiency.
Less attention is usually paid to the process of procrastination and its role in maintaining the positive
emotional tone and attaining sort-term rewards. In the modern world where a mounting pressure exists
toward immediate gratification of growing variety of temptations, the hedonistic self-regulation in
general and procrastination in particular become highly attractive subjects with theoretical and practical
consequences. The present work analyses procrastination from the point of view of its structure
and underlying physiological mechanisms. Additionally, the time models used to defend the procrastination
behaviour, as well as the emotional and Ego dynamics are investigated. Attention is given to
the effects of procrastination on the goal directed behaviour.
In an attempt to advance the explanation, procrastination is also discussed in the framework of
individual self-regulation. The analyzed data suggest that the chronic delay of tasks execution represents
an important indicator of a specific hedonistic self-regulation style depicting a tendency to search
for a positive emotional tone and a generally pleasant emotional state, to aim at short-term rather than
long-term valuable consequences, and display avoidance of systematic effort. Low levels of interest in
achievement and in strategic goals augment the description of hedonic self-regulation style.
