Abstract

The present is aimed to find the relationship between procrastination and locus of control

among students of public and private universities in Lahore. For the purpose of research, a

sample of 800 university students was taken comprising of both male and female students. A

stratified random sampling technique was used to collect data. The stratas were made with

respect to the semesters of students. Stratas consisted of 2nd, 4th and 8th semester of Bs-Hons and

students of Ms/Mphil. Sample consisted of students from different subjects. A total of 382 males

and 418 females participated in the study. Tools used in the study were Lay’s (1986)

Procrastination scale for student population and Levenson’s (1981) multidimensional locus of

control scale. Both the tools were translated in Urdu and their psychometric properties were

established in Pakistani culture. Results indicated a positive correlation between procrastination

and locus of control with external locus of control as a significant predictor of procrastination. It

was also found in the study that students studying in different semesters had different levels of

procrastination. Students of Ms/Mphil procrastinated significantly less than students studying in

different semesters of BS-Hons. No effects of gender, socioeconomic status, or residence were

seen on procrastination. It was concluded that locus of control had a strong association with

procrastination. Students with external locus of control procrastinated more than students of

internal locus of control. Procrastination decreased with time in students and individual

differences existed on procrastination with no particular effect of demographic variables. It is

implicated from the research that personality variables such as locus of control have a strong

influence on procrastination. Further research is needed in the area of procrastination.

Key words: Procrastination, internal locus of control, external locus of control.