Procrastination Scale (Lay‚ 1986)
Instructions:
People may use the following statements to describe themselves. For each statement‚ decide whether the statement is uncharacteristic or characteristic of you using the following 5 point scale. Note that the 3 on the scale is Neutral – the statement is neither characteristic nor uncharacteristic of you. In the box to the right of each statement‚ fill in the number on the 5 point scale that best describes you.
Extremely Moderately Neutral Moderately Extremely
Uncharacteristic Uncharacteristic characteristic characteristic
1 2 3 4 5
1. |
I often find myself performing tasks that I had intended to do days before. |
2.* |
I often miss concerts‚ sporting events‚ or the like because I don’t around to buying tickets on time. |
3.* |
When planning a party‚ I make the necessary arrangements well in advance. |
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.* |
When travelling‚ I usually have to rush in preparing to arrive at the airport or station at the appropriate 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.* |
If a bill for a small amount comes‚ I pay it right away. |
14.* |
I usually return an RVSP request very shortly after receiving the invitation. |
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 AI=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.
Ronald Okada
Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology
Faculty of Health
York University
Toronto‚ Ontario
Canada M3J 1P
Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology
Faculty of Health
York University
Toronto‚ Ontario
Canada M3J 1P
E-mail: [email protected]