Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
Published on: September 11, 2021
Use of an explicit rule decreases procrastination in university students
Paul E Johnson1, Christopher J Perrin2, Allen Salo1
1University of Maine Presque Isle.
Abstract:
The procrastination behavior of students from a small rural university was decreased by presenting them with a rule indicating that a sooner final due date for a writing assignment would be contingent on procrastination during earlier phases of the paper. A counterbalanced AB BA design was used to measure the effects of the rule-based treatment across 2 introductory psychology classes (N = 33). Overall, participants engaged in less procrastination, missed fewer deadlines, and produced higher quality writing in the treatment condition.
Related Concept Videos
Social Loafing
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Self-Regulation
Cognitive Dissonance
Reliability and Validity
Persuasion Strategies

