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The Neurobiology of Procrastination

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Shereen Lee

The document discusses the neurobiology of procrastination. It explains that the limbic system, which includes the amygdala and nucleus accumbens, controls reward and emotional reactions. The limbic system favors immediate rewards and avoids tasks without immediate positives. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher thinking and decision making but often defers to the limbic system. Procrastination occurs when the limbic system sees no immediate reward for a task and avoids it in favor of other activities.

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The Neurobiology of Procrastination Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life Final Project
Cellular and Regional Parts Limbic System - amygdala - ventral tegmental area (VTA) - nucleus accumbens (NAc) Neocortex - prefrontal cortex
Limbic System The reward system controls human behavior by releasing chemicals with pleasurable effects, primarily dopamine. The amygdala plays a significant role in the initial emotional reaction to an event.
Neocortex The prefrontal cortex controls logical, higher thinking and seems to be the origin of decision making, but often defers to the instinctive impulses of the limbic system.
Limbic System: Relation to Procrastination In a situation where a deadline is not immediately approaching, the limbic system sees no immediate positive result, and avoids the situation in favor of an activity with an immediate positive result. The amygdalas initial emotional reaction may incite a (sometimes irrational) fear of failure for a task that would potentially be embarrassing or have other negative consequences.
Of course, there is the more rational neocortex, which logically assesses the situation and decides that you should do the work now. This is the side that knows that procrastination is detrimental, but it is much newer (hence the prefix neo-) and, therefore, less deeply ingrained. The limbic system often takes precedence. Neocortex: Relation to Procrastination
Relation to This Course The week closest in topic to this was Week 3b, which describes how information reaches the brain. Although Understanding the Brain was mostly about physical disorders such as sensory issues, paralysis, and memory loss, I picked up terminology and functions that I later researched more independently. It was mainly responsible for piquing an interest in areas I previously did not know existed.

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The Neurobiology of Procrastination

  • 1. The Neurobiology of Procrastination Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life Final Project
  • 2. Cellular and Regional Parts Limbic System - amygdala - ventral tegmental area (VTA) - nucleus accumbens (NAc) Neocortex - prefrontal cortex
  • 3. Limbic System The reward system controls human behavior by releasing chemicals with pleasurable effects, primarily dopamine. The amygdala plays a significant role in the initial emotional reaction to an event.
  • 4. Neocortex The prefrontal cortex controls logical, higher thinking and seems to be the origin of decision making, but often defers to the instinctive impulses of the limbic system.
  • 5. Limbic System: Relation to Procrastination In a situation where a deadline is not immediately approaching, the limbic system sees no immediate positive result, and avoids the situation in favor of an activity with an immediate positive result. The amygdalas initial emotional reaction may incite a (sometimes irrational) fear of failure for a task that would potentially be embarrassing or have other negative consequences.
  • 6. Of course, there is the more rational neocortex, which logically assesses the situation and decides that you should do the work now. This is the side that knows that procrastination is detrimental, but it is much newer (hence the prefix neo-) and, therefore, less deeply ingrained. The limbic system often takes precedence. Neocortex: Relation to Procrastination
  • 7. Relation to This Course The week closest in topic to this was Week 3b, which describes how information reaches the brain. Although Understanding the Brain was mostly about physical disorders such as sensory issues, paralysis, and memory loss, I picked up terminology and functions that I later researched more independently. It was mainly responsible for piquing an interest in areas I previously did not know existed.