Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
Published on: April 18, 2017
The Effects of Locus of Control and Task Difficulty on Procrastination
Tracy Janssen1, John S Carton2
1a Department of Psychology , Beloit College.
Abstract:
The authors investigated the effects of locus of control expectancies and task difficulty on procrastination. Forty-two college students were administered an academic locus of control scale and a task that was similar to a typical college homework assignment. The students were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 task difficulty levels. Although none of the results involving task difficulty was significant, several results involving locus of control were significant. Specifically, analyses revealed that students with internal locus of control expectancies tended to begin working on the assignment sooner than students with external locus of control expectancies. In addition, students with internal locus of control completed and returned the assignment sooner than students with external locus of control. The results are discussed within the context of J. B. Rotter's (1966, 1975, 1982) social learning theory.
More Related Videos
08:24The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
07:08Estimate the Cognitive Load Using Electrocardiographic Measure: A Human-AI Collaborative Task
Published on: December 5, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Locus of Control
Rotter's Locus of Control
Individuals with an internal locus of control believe that their personal efforts and decisions directly affect their...
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Theory of Attribution II: Kelley's Covariation Theory
Self-Regulation