Choice and Procrastination
A model where a person chooses from a menu of options and is partially aware of her self-control problems is developed, and this menu model replicates earlier results and generates new ones.
Abstract
Author(s): O'Donoghue, Ted; Rabin, Matthew | Abstract: Recent models of procrastination due to self-control problems assume that a procrastinator considers just one option and is unaware of her self-control problems. We develop a model where a person chooses from a menu of options and is partially aware of her self-control problems. This menu model replicates earlier results and generates new ones. A person might forego completing an attractive option because she plans to complete a more attractive but never-to-be-completed option. Hence, providing a non-procrastinator additional options can induce procrastination, and a person may procrastinate worse pursuing important goals than unimportant ones.