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Self-handicappers and procrastinators: A comparison of their practice behavior prior to an evaluation

1992; Elsevier BV; Volume: 26; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0092-6566(92)90042-3

1095-7251

Clarry H. Lay, Steven Knish, Rita Zanatta,

Education, Achievement, and Giftedness

Conceptually, procrastination shares certain characteristics with self-handicapping, and trait measures of both concepts are positively related. Nevertheless, there are important distinctions to be considered. With this in mind, the present paper compared the behavior of trait self-handicappers preparing for an evaluation with the behavior of trait procrastinators. Male and female high school students were given the opportunity to practice for a test of Raven's Progressive Matrices either in class (Study 1) or at home over a 5-day period (Study 2). They were randomly provided with a set of easy or difficult practice items. In Study 1 trait self-handicappers exhibited self-handicapping behavior by answering fewer practice items and reporting spending more time on an irrelevant task; trait procrastinators did not. In Study 2, both trait measures were related to dilatory behavior in beginning to practice at home. Other aspects of the results were considered and distinctions between the two concepts discussed.