Performance of procrastinators: On the value of deadlines

Fabian Herweg () and Daniel Müller

Munich Reprints in Economics from University of Munich, Department of Economics

Abstract: Earlier study has shown that procrastination can be explained by quasi-hyperbolic discounting. We present a model of effort choice over time that shifts the focus from completion of to performance on a single task. We find that being aware of the own self-control problems may reduce a person’s performance as well as his or her overall well-being, which is in contrast to the existing literature on procrastination. Extending this framework to a multi-task model, we show that interim deadlines help a quasi-hyperbolic discounter to structure his or her workload more efficiently, which in turn leads to better performance. Moreover, being restricted by deadlines increases a quasi-hyperbolic discounter’s well-being. Thus, we provide a theoretical underpinning for recent empirical evidence and numerous casual observations.

Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

Published in Theory and Decision 3 70(2011): pp. 329-366

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Related works:
Journal Article: Performance of procrastinators: on the value of deadlines (2011)
Working Paper: Performance of Procrastinators: On the Value of Deadlines (2008)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:lmu:muenar:19454

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