Temporal Motivation Theory: Core Theory of The Procrastination Equation

Theoretical Framework
Temporal Motivation Theory: Core theory of The

Procrastination Equation
The theory of temporal motivation (aka The
Procrastination Equation) represents the latest
motivational research developments; it is an integrative
theory from which most other motivational theories can be
derived. It suggests that the reasons why people make
decisions include the following equation:
Motivation indicates the driving force or preference

for action, what economists call useful. The higher the
utility, the greater the preference, of course. There are
two variables on top of the equation, the numerator:
expectation and value. Expectation refers to the odds or
chance of a result, while value refers to how rewarding the
result is. Of course, we want to choose pursuits that give
us a good chance of achieving a pleasant result. There are
also two variables at the bottom of the equation, the
denominator. Impulsivity refers to your timing sensitivity.
The more impulsive you are, the less gratification you like
to delay.
The effects of delay are even more important with

regard to procrastination. Our rewards are not only great,
but also immediate. As a result, we are most likely to
postpone unpleasant tasks in the present and offer rewards
only in the distant future. In other words, we would be
more likely to carry out higher priority tasks if there are
immediately enjoyable options (even if they have
significant but delayed costs). We tend to call temptations
for such options.
Anxiety: Fear of Failure, Perfectionism, etc.
There are a number of reasons for anxiety which have

been thought to cause procrastination. In essence, people
are thought to take on tasks because the task is difficult
or stressful. Those who are more susceptible to stress
should therefore be more stressful. There are many
circumstances that cause people to worry, particularly
irrational beliefs. Irrational beliefs, knowledge and
thinking are a broad term including several dysfunctional
worldviews or worldviews that cause anxiety. Ellis (1973)
described them as: (1) almost certainly hindering the
pursuit of happiness and satisfaction of wishes;( 2) almost
entirely arbitrary and unprovable. Fear of failure and
perfectionism are some examples of irrational beliefs.
Task Aversiveness
Task aversiveness is nearly a self-explaining word.

According to Milgram, Sroloff, & Rosenbaum (1988), It is
also known to refer to actions which are not attractive or
task appeal (Harris & Sutton, 1983). Their relationship can
be predicted. By definition, aversive stimulus is avoided
and therefore the more aversive the situation is, the
greater the probability to prevent it (e.g.
procrastination). While a variety of personal
characteristics can influence the extent to which people
do not enjoy a task (e.g., boring proneness, intrinsic
motivation), if a task is not pleasant, research shows that
they do indeed have a greater chance of postponing it. Of
note, task aversiveness must take account of the earlier
concept, time for reward and punishment. It predicts task
avoidance in principle, not task delay in itself.
Neuroticism
Neuroticism has also been explored as a source of

procrastination, similar in etiology to aversiveness of
tasks. It resembles a concern, anxiety about features, or
negative impact. Typically, researchers have argued that
those who are more susceptible to stress should be more
likely to continue doing things if people do not do it
because they are aversive or stressful. Burka & Yuen, 1983;
Ellis & Knaus, 1977). Brown, 1991. The most anxious, who
may find cataclysmic interpretations in benign events, must
therefore irrationally defer many of life's large and small
tasks.
Low self-efficacy and low self-esteem.
Since neuroticism is linked to fear of failure, this

has to do with low self- efficacy and low self- esteem
(Ellis & Knaus, 1977). In particular, individuals with
irrational beliefs can question their ability to do their
best (i.e., poor auto- effectiveness) and believe that
failure to comply with standards suggests that they are
inadequate (i.e., poor self- esteem). Regardless of fear
of failure, there has also been argument that self-
evaluation and self- esteem are directly linked to
repression and performance (Bandura, 1997; Burka & Yuen,
1983; Judge & Bono, 2001).
Extraversion
Extraversion is one of the most interesting but also

one of the more complicated possible causes of
procrastination. Strange, optimistic, outgoing, energetic,
expressive, excited and impulsive extraverts are usually
described (Mark 1997; Guilford, 1977). It is noted that
there is a slightly different definition of impulsivity and
its structure and of the personality characteristic that
it represents best (Revelle, 1997). In general, impulsivity
shows a spontaneity and a tendency to act according to
whims and tendencies. There have already been some aspects
about extraversion. Although depression is a part of
pessimism and low energy levels, this is also a central
part of extraversion, especially when measured by positive
emotions or effects (Watson & Clark 1997). These
preliminary findings show the complexities of extraversion
as the hypothesized relations with these facets conflict
with procrastination. Lethargy and impulsivity are expected
to predict degeneration, but lethargy shows a lack of
extraverse, whereas impulsivity indicates an abundance of
characteristics. No significant results are expected for
the extraversion in accordance with this inconsistency.

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Theoretical Framework

Temporal Motivation Theory: Core theory of The

The theory of temporal motivation (aka The

Procrastination Equation) represents the latest

motivational research developments; it is an integrative

theory from which most other motivational theories can be

derived. It suggests that the reasons why people make

decisions include the following equation:

Motivation indicates the driving force or preference

The effects of delay are even more important with

Anxiety: Fear of Failure, Perfectionism, etc.

There are a number of reasons for anxiety which have

Task aversiveness is nearly a self-explaining word.

Neuroticism has also been explored as a source of

Low self-efficacy and low self-esteem.

Since neuroticism is linked to fear of failure, this

Extraversion is one of the most interesting but also

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