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Procrastinatory Cognitions Inventory

The Procrastinatory Cognitions Inventory (PCI), developed by Stainton, Lay, and Flett (2000), measures how often individuals experience negative, procrastination-related thoughts. It is widely used in research and clinical settings to assess cognitive vulnerability to procrastinatory behavior.

3 minutes to complete

Eligibility

The Procrastinatory Cognitions Inventory is generally open to anyone interested in assessing their procrastination tendencies, particularly in relation to cognitive aspects of procrastination.

Questions for Procrastinatory Cognitions Inventory

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Questions

1.

Why can’t I do what I should be doing.

Please read each thought and indicate how frequently, if at all, you think the thought has occurred to you over the past two weeks.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
2.

I need to start earlier.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
3.

I should be more responsible.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
4.

I should be doing more studying.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
5.

No matter how much I try, I still put things off.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
6.

People expect me to work and study more.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
7.

Why can’t I just get started.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
8.

I know I’m behind but I can catch up.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
9.

I’m behind in my studies this time, but next time it will be different.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
10.

I’m letting myself down.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
11.

This is not how I want to be.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
12.

It would be great if everything in my life were done on time.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
13.

I’m such a procrastinator, I’ll never reach my goals.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
14.

I need deadlines to get me going.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
15.

I can turn it in late.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
16.

I really don’t like studying.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
17.

Why can’t I finish things that I start.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time
18.

Why didn’t I start earlier.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Not at all
  2. Sometimes
  3. Moderately often
  4. Often
  5. All of the time

Scoring

Scale Score
Not at all 0
Sometimes 1
Moderately often 2
Often 3
All of the time 4

Interpretation

Score Range Interpretation
0–18 (Very Low) Rarely experiences procrastinatory thoughts; low cognitive vulnerability to procrastination.
19–36 (Low to Moderate) Occasionally experiences procrastinatory thoughts; some cognitive vulnerability to procrastination.
37–54 (Moderate to High) Frequently experiences procrastinatory thoughts; elevated risk for procrastinatory behavior.
55–72 (High) Very frequent procrastinatory thoughts; high cognitive vulnerability to procrastination and possible impact on functioning.

Assessments Similar to Procrastinatory Cognitions Inventory

  • Delayed Action Mental Frameworks Catalogue
  • Inventory of Procrastination Thought Processes
  • Index of Deferred Decision-Making Cognitions
  • Procrastination-Centered Cognitive Assessment
  • Postponement Thought Patterns Inventory
  • Inventory of Delay-Inducing Mental Constructs

Here are some FAQs and additional information
on
Procrastinatory Cognitions Inventory

What does the PCI measure?

It assesses the frequency of negative, automatic thoughts related to procrastination.

How is the PCI scored?

Respondents rate 18 items on a 0–4 scale, with higher total scores indicating more frequent procrastinatory cognitions.

Who can use the PCI?

The PCI is used by researchers and clinicians to evaluate cognitive vulnerability to procrastination in various populations.

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