Analysis of Optimism and Procrastination in Students Who are Writing Thesis

Abstract

Obstacles faced by students whilst preparing their thesis could lead to a decline in their motivation. Thus, they will prefer to procrastinate instead of trying to finish their thesis work. It is believed that procrastination is highly correlated with optimism. Hence, this study aims to investigate the correlation between optimism and procrastination among college students who are working on their thesis. The study implemented a quantitative method with a purposive sampling technique. A total of 70 students had participated in this study as they could satisfy the required criteria for research participants, i.e., students of Psychology Faculty Universitas Negeri Makassar who are taking thesis courses in the 2010-2012 class and have obtained a supervisor. Data obtained in this study were analysed using the Spearman correlation test. The result of the data analysis shows that the correlation coefficient (r) and significance (p) value is -0.4404 and 0.000137 (p < 0,01), respectively. Thus, the hypothesis is accepted. The data shows that optimism and procrastination of students who are writing their thesis has a very significant negative correlation. The higher the level of optimism of students who are writing a thesis, the lower the level of their procrastination in completing the thesis requirement. Accordingly, the finding of this research advocates the importance of instilling an optimistic mindset among college students whilst working on their thesis to avoid procrastination.

Overclaiming is not related to dark triad personality traits or stated and revealed risk preferences

“…When judging the feasibility of one's desires, an accurate perception of one's competences is necessary to discriminate the realizable desires from the impossible ones [1]. And when getting started, a helpful dose of confidence is a boon as it eases staying on track or leads to persistence in the face of obstacles [2][3][4]. Too much confidence, however, entails several downsides and may lead to risky situations.…”

The Relationship between Self-Control and General Procrastination in University Students: The Mediating Role of Optimism

“…As the result of the research, in which the tendency for optimism and decision styles in the sample of adolescents was examined, a negative relationship between optimism and procrastination was revealed (Magnano et al, 2015). As the result of the research, in which the relationships between optimism and procrastination in university students being in the process dissertation preparation were investigated, it was detected that there was a negative relationship between optimism and procrastination (Murdiana et al, 2020). Limited number of researches on the subject in the literature shows consistency with the findings of the current research.…”

“…In limited number of the researches in the literature searching the relationships between optimism and procrastination, a relationship in negative direction was revealed (e.g., Jackson et al, 2000;Magnano et al, 2015;Murdiana et al, 2020). The hypothesis of the present research based on theoretical and empirical background was formed as follows:…”

El optimismo y la procrastinación académica en los estudiantes universitarios

“…Dichos resultados coinciden además con el estudio realizado por Murdiana et al (2020), el cual involucró a 70 universitarios de Indonesia que se encontraban en proceso de redacción de una tesis. En dicho estudio, se encontró una correlación negativa altamente significativa entre el optimismo y la procrastinación, lo que indica que a medida que el nivel de optimismo aumenta, el nivel de dilación para completar los requisitos de la tesis disminuye.…”

“…Estos hallazgos resaltan la importancia de variables psicológicas como factores protectores contra la procrastinación académica, ya que influyen en la perspectiva de los estudiantes hacia sus estudios y en su creencia y en su capacidad para lograr el éxito académico, En cambio, se ha observado que los estudiantes que procrastinan pueden tener una menor presencia de motivación, autoeficacia y optimismo, lo cual puede afectar su perspectiva hacia los estudios y su capacidad para alcanzar el éxito académico. De hecho, el estudio realizado por Murdiana et al (2020) encontró una correlación negativa significativa entre el optimismo y la procrastinación académica (r=. -0.4404; p<.01).…”