Why do humans procrastinate?

It is worth noting that Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky are the fathers of modern-day behavioral economics. Their biggest contribution is called Prospect Theory. It goes against everything they teach you in Econ 101 -- the expected utility theory is wrong.

Kahneman won a noble prize in Economics for his work. Sadly, Tversky passed away in 1996 before he could be awarded.

Prospect Theory: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospect_theory

Re: Why do humans procrastinate?

#5

Post by arketyp » Thu, Nov 24, 2011, 6:58 PM UTC

How does cases of workaholism suit into this? That is, specifically, persons focusing too much on their career for big parts of their lives and then later regretting never having spent time with their family, enjoying a slow day etc. Isn't this almost reverse procrastination? Somehow you have deluded yourself that the future reward is worth the short term costs. And I guess in the end the habit would be so hard to break that it is indeed a sort of short-term procrastination kind of deal once again. You keep working all days because it is the easiest choice to deal with. Stepping down is such a drastic choice and a big commitment and scary and so on.

I guess I also want to point out that these things are really complicated dynamics. How do I know how much I should deny myself the instant rewards? What do I really know about the worth of this task I have setup for myself and its benefits? Why do we procrastinate? Well, because we don't know, because we're uncertain, because we doubt.

Re: Why do humans procrastinate?

#6

Post by jodrellblank » Thu, Nov 24, 2011, 7:02 PM UTC

arketyp wrote: post #5

How does cases of workaholism suit into this? That is, specifically, persons focusing too much on their career for big parts of their lives and then later regretting never having spent time with their family, enjoying a slow day etc. Isn't this almost reverse procrastination? Somehow you have deluded yourself that the future reward is worth the short term costs. And I guess in the end the habit would be so hard to br…

Well, because we don't know, because we're uncertain, because we doubt.

What about the people who don't know and don't procrastinate?

What's bad about uncertainty and doubt? What are you afraid of if it "goes wrong"? If it was uncertain what would happen but any outcome was exciting, you wouldn't procrastinate, right?

Re: Why do humans procrastinate?

#7

Post by huherto » Thu, Nov 24, 2011, 7:07 PM UTC

arketyp wrote: post #5

How does cases of workaholism suit into this? That is, specifically, persons focusing too much on their career for big parts of their lives and then later regretting never having spent time with their family, enjoying a slow day etc. Isn't this almost reverse procrastination? Somehow you have deluded yourself that the future reward is worth the short term costs. And I guess in the end the habit would be so hard to br…

IMHO, workalcoholics get short term rewards by working. And they get it every day and with every action that they take.

Re: Why do humans procrastinate?

#8

Post by DenisM » Thu, Nov 24, 2011, 7:15 PM UTC

I think this simplistic explanation does not do justice to the complex subject which is procrastination. If it were that simple, we wouldn't be having those problems, would we?

For a more rounded perspective on the subject of procrastination I suggest reading someone who observed a few hundreds of cases and helped in fixing most of them:

http://www.amazon.com/Now-Habit-Overcoming-Procrastination-G...

Re: Why do humans procrastinate?

#9

Post by arketyp » Thu, Nov 24, 2011, 7:18 PM UTC

jodrellblank wrote: post #6

arketyp wrote: post #5

How does cases of workaholism suit into this? That is, specifically, persons focusing too much on their career for big parts of their lives and then later regretting never having spent time with their family, enjoying a slow day etc. Isn't this almost reverse procrastination? Somehow you have deluded yourself that the future reward is worth the short term costs. And I guess in the end the habit would be so hard to br…

Well, because we don't know, because we're uncertain, because we doubt. What about the people who don't know and don't procrastinate? What's bad about uncertainty and doubt? What are you afraid of if it "goes wrong"? If it was uncertain what would happen but any outcome was exciting, you wouldn't procrastinate, right?

What about the people who don't know and don't procrastinate?

I guess they got God's blessing. I don't understand your point.

If it was uncertain what would happen but any outcome was exciting, you wouldn't procrastinate, right?

That's exactly the time I would procrastinate. Or am I missing something?

Re: Why do humans procrastinate?

#10

Post by huherto » Thu, Nov 24, 2011, 7:18 PM UTC

andre3k1 wrote: post #4

It is worth noting that Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky are the fathers of modern-day behavioral economics. Their biggest contribution is called Prospect Theory. It goes against everything they teach you in Econ 101 -- the expected utility theory is wrong. Kahneman won a noble prize in Economics for his work. Sadly, Tversky passed away in 1996 before he could be awarded. Prospect Theory: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki…

This is a great example why understanding Math is important. It can even help you understand psychological aspects like, why we make the choices we make.