Active Procrastination and the Dark Tetrad

Abstract

The Dark Triad personality traits have previously been linked with dysfunctional types of procrastination (i.e., delaying of certain tasks). From an evolutionary perspective, procrastination is recognised for facilitating a fast life history strategy. In the present study we investigated links between active and passive procrastination and the extended Dark Tetrad personality traits (psychopathy, Machiavellianism, narcissism, sadism). Participants ( N = 357) were invited via Prolific data collection platform and Survey Circle research sites to participate in an online survey exploring personality and procrastination. Path analyses revealed that all Dark Tetrad traits positively predicted several aspects of active procrastination only. Narcissism emerged as the only negative predictor of passive procrastination. Rather than linking these traits with dysfunctional procrastination types only, our results highlight the importance of considering the Dark Tetrad in relation to functional forms of procrastination, which may be more beneficial for facilitating a fast life history strategy.