Chapter 3

Chapter 3

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS

SUMMARY

This paper attempts to prove that procrastination is neither a habit nor a phase but procrastination is a disorder people tend to overlook. To understand that procrastination cannot be fixed like a common problem because procrastination actually involves the brain.

The research design used in this study is the descriptive research method wherein data from documents, articles and books found in in the internet were used to answer the research question posed. The research findings are the following:

1.       A lot of people mistake procrastination for a bad habit and tend to overlook that it is actually a disorder.

2.       Procrastination is an infamous act a lot of stressed people mostly the youth know about.

3.       Procrastination is a result from either emotional or mental disorders.

CONCLUSION

Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions are drawn:

1.       Procrastination cannot be cured or fixed for it is a problem within parts of the brain.

2.       Procrastination does not only affect the work capacity of a person but it can also affect the mental and the emotional state of a person.

3.       Procrastination is a disorder that can be both biological and psychological.

RECOMMENDATIONS

After drawing the conclusions of the study, the researcher hereby make the following suggestions/recommendations:

1.       People should actually take consideration for procrastinators and how they do their work and or how they function.

2.       People should put themselves in a procrastinator’s point of view to get better understanding and ideas on how a procrastinator deals with life.

REFERENCES

A.      Electronic Media

Students of the University of Cambridge. (2014). Self-Help Leaflet - What is Procrastination?. Retrieved March 30, 2014 from http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/selfhelp/leaflets/procrastination
Reichelt, A. (2013, November 18). Putting it off: Why do we Procrastinate?. Retrieved March 30, 2014 from http://thenewdaily.com.au/life/2013/11/18/why-do-we-procrastinate/
Cherry, K. (2012). What is a Psychological Disorder?. Retrieved April 15, 2014 from http://psychology.about.com/od/psychotherapy/tp/psychological-disorders.htm
Spencer, A. (2012). The Science behind Procrastination. Retrieved January 26, 2014 from http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/time-management/procrastination-00000000055281/
Serendip, S. (2002). Procrastination: Habit or Disorder?. Retrieved April 15, 2014 from http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro02/web1/jmaryasis.html

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

DEFINITION

I.                    Definition of Procrastination and Disorder

Procrastination

Procrastination according to the Oxford Dictionary means - The action of delaying or postponing something. 

Procrastination is the practice of carrying out less urgent tasks in favour of doing more urgent ones first. Doing more pleasurable things instead of the less pleasurable ones, thus putting off impending tasks to a later time and sometimes even to the last minute.

Amy Spencer wrote the article, "The Science behind Procrastination." In that article it was mentioned that procrastination can be related to Charlie Brown's Seesaw Sensibility, between two parts of the mind when it’s faced with a boring task: a battle of the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex; whereas the limbic system is connected to our pleasure and entertainment zone and the prefrontal cortex is associated with our internal “planner” or the logical part of our brain.

Spencer says, "The moment you’re not consciously engaged in a task, your limbic system takes over. You give in to what feels good—you procrastinate" (http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/time-management/procrastination-00000000055281/) Well that is how man was perceived and probably how it will always be.

It is the chronic habit of illegitimately justifying to oneself that a task does not, should not, or cannot be started now. It is putting off that which should be done now.

Disorder

A mental disorder, also called a mental illness or psychiatric disorder is a mental or behavioural pattern that prohibits a person to act normally or freely without causing harm to themselves or to the people around them.

According to Psychology.about.com – A disorder is a “psychological symptom that impacts multiple life areas and/or creates distress for the person experiencing these symptoms.”
A disorder is a disturbance or derangement that affects the function of mind or body.

II.                  Factors Why Procrastination is a Disorder

A.      Mental

As much as people believe that procrastination is only a habit it can actually be considered as a disorder not a habit. Procrastination- this isn't a nuance, but a perpetual occurrence - no longer qualifying for the term "habit." Procrastination is not a habit, it may be a result of something that happened to the person and it’s their way to overcome or ignore their problems. (http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro02/web1/jmaryasis.html)

Disorders like this and other mental disorders cannot be cured but you learn to manage it more effectively. As said by the article “How Do You Cure Mental Illness?”  By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.  

Taking in that the limbic system is wired with our pleasure zone, once the brain feels bored on the given subject; distractions are everywhere just to keep you from doing work. A lot of people believe that procrastination is only a habit or a phase. They tend to think that someone procrastinating can overcome or outgrow this phase because it’s only temporary.

B.      Emotional

Procrastination has been linked to a number of negative associations, such as depression, irrational behaviour, low self-esteem, anxiety, poor study habits, and neurological disorders such as ADHD. Others have found relationships with guilt and stress.

“Behavioural procrastination is equated with self-handicap. Essentially, this self-handicap provides a means for further blame shifting, as could be seen in an example of a student doing poorly on an exam and using procrastination as an excuse.” (http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro02/web1/jmaryasis.html)