DB PSY GENERAL PRICIPLES QUESTIOONNAIR
Procrastination Scale (Lay, 1986) - For student populations 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 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 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.