Electroencephalographic and subjective profile in requesting and procrastinating: What it takes

Procrastination, both active procrastination and passive procrastination (PP), and delegation (DEL) are critical behaviors impacting action regulation, agentic control, and temporal dimensions of task management. This study aimed to investigate the relation between behavioral data—responses and response time (RTs)—electrophysiological (EEG) correlates and individual differences, as measured by the Big Five Inventory and the General Decision-Making Style. Participants completed a real-life script scenario with EEG recording, followed by psychometric tests. The study revealed different significant findings. Higher rational decision-making tendencies and conscientiousness are associated with shorter PPRTs, suggesting more efficient task management. In contrast, avoidant decision makers exhibit longer PPRTs, reflecting their hesitation and procrastination tendencies. Emotional stability emerges as a critical factor for effective DEL; emotionally stable individuals manage stress better and demonstrate greater trust in delegating tasks. EEG findings indicate that active procrastinators show increased delta, alpha, and beta band activity in frontal brain regions, signifying heightened cognitive engagement and effortful processing. Conversely, effective DEL is linked to activation in the right temporoparietal junction, an area crucial for empathy and social cognition. The study provides valuable insights into the neural and psychological mechanisms underlying procrastination and DEL and can inform strategies to enhance task management and productivity.