A Study On Academic Procrastination Of Middle School Students And The Influence Of Class Environments On It

Academic procrastination is one of the most important factors for learning. In this study, interviewing method and questionnaires were adapted to investigate the characters of academic procrastination of middle school students. In addition, we discussed the relationship between class environments and academic procrastination by HLM.In the 1st study, we selected 1972 middle school students as objects and revised the PASS. Firstly, we examined the academic procrastination on the assignments, preparation of examination and the self-oriented task. Secondly, we compiled the Procrastination Causes Questionnaire of Middle School Students. The questionnaire included 3 dimensions: individual traits, the influences of class environments and the features of task. In the 2nd research, we explored the differences on the degree and the cause of academic procrastination about 837 middle school students by use of the revised PASS. In the 3rd research, we tested 1972 middle school students with "My Class" questionnaire and the revised PASS, and analysed the influence of class environments on procrastination on the individual level and class level by HLM..The research obtained following results:(1) It was common on academic procrastination of middle students, but only a few students had serious procrastination. No matter which kind student, they all hoped to decrease their procrastination strongly. There was significant difference in gender, grade, academic achievement, city or countryside, location and if they were only child among academic procrastination of middle school students.(2) The main causes of academic procrastination included individual traits, the influences of class environments and the features of task. Different procrastinators had difference in the three dimensions.(3) Individual perception of class environments were significantly correlated with academic procrastination. There was significant difference between good class environments and conflicted class environments on the three academic tasks.However, There was no significant difference between their hope to decrease their procrastination. On individual level, teacher-student relationship, classmates relationship, competition of class environments could significantly predict academic procrastination. On class level, classmates relationship, competition of class environments could significantly predict academic procrastination. A hierarchical linear model (HLM) showed that class environments could interpert a considerable effect of academic procrastination.