Academic procrastination from attribution theory perspective: An overview

Academic procrastination is a common problem among students that is linked to negative outcomes. Its history dates back to ancient times, but it has become more prevalent in modern times due to the emphasis on time and efficiency. Academic procrastination is a specific type of procrastination that is common among students due to the large amount of assignments and deadlines in academic contexts. Attribution theory is a psychological framework that can help us understand how students explain their own procrastination behavior and the factors that contribute to it. Attribution theory encompasses three dimensions: locus of control, stability, and controllability. Each dimension has an impact on an individual's future behavior, including whether they procrastinate on or complete a task. It is possible to predict that individuals who tend to procrastinate academically may attribute their academic tasks to external locus of control, stable causes, and factors that are outside their control. In contrast, individuals who do not procrastinate are likely to attribute their academic tasks to internal locus of control, unstable causes, and factors that are within their control. Understanding these theories can help educators and students develop strategies to overcome procrastination and improve academic performance.