Help Students Make Better Decisions By Understanding The Neuroscience Of Procrastination Introduction(s) Procrastination in Neuroscience Terms Increase Student Achievement References & Terms Dianne Garrett Faculty, Bryan School of Business and Economics

PROCRASTINATION IN NEUROSCIENCE TERMS Procrastination is a self-regulation failure.

Subcomponents Expectancy Value Impulsiveness Time (Concrete) Dr. Ferrari & Dr. Baumesiter Negative emotion Short-term over long-term Learned Stressed Glucose weak Lack of sleep? Dr. Piers Steel

Limbic cognitive

Low Road & High Road Message Pathways

Dr. Evian Gordon

Decrease THREAT What can you do to decrease the THREAT in your classroom learning environment?

INCREASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT What can you do promote self-regulation?

Increase Negative Feeling Awareness Anterior Cingulate CortexClassroom Application The first day of class & in the syllabus. I talk about this, at minimum, every time I give an assignment back. “That’s all normal.’

Increase Reward Dopamine Classroom Application Make them want (feel good). Increase value. NO is yes. Start with a problem to solve. Start with novelty. Create curiosity. Reward what you want replicated. Reward with status, autonomy, certainty, relatedness, fairness

Elevate Value Connect to the ImportantClassroom Application Communication is in everything – day one. This is important because… Physical reminders Build associations

Elevate Expectancy Learned HelplessnessClassroom Application I can’t write ‘yet.’ Can make a good grade in this class – I’ve set you up on day one. What gets rewarded, gets repeated. Positive self-talk

Decrease Impulsiveness. Basal GangliaClassroom Application Create routines for them. Give them a plan and stay to the plan. Model the way. Relationship support Long-term visual (environmental) reminders. Teenage brain

Increase Pre-decision Prefrontal Cortex: Planning/Goals Classroom Application If, then statements Problem First Clustering Strategy session Plan in the am (Prefrontal cortex gets tired easy.) Have planning resources

Be concrete instead of abstract. Be Certain. NeuroscienceClassroom Application Assignment turn in dates – sooner rather than later. Clustering – How do you organize Blackboard Are your stories ‘real?’ Be concrete about the process too. This is how to do it. Fill in the gaps for them.

Increase Relatedness Neuroscience: OxytocinClassroom Application Be kind – watch your own THREAT states. Know the names of everyone in class Group activities in class and out Mirror neurons Eagles fly with eagles Student models

Strengthen Associations Cells that Wire together, Wire Together Classroom Application Asking students to reflect engages PFC. Round robin/takeaways Assignments that cause associations in the brain. Help them see value Link for them.

Increase Willpower Right Ventral Prefrontal Cortex Don’t multi-task Take breaks Drink water Decide 3 things (in am) ONLY on what has to be done that day.

Increase Wellness Decision FatigueClassroom Application Pre-decision is key. If then Read Decision Fatigue article. Assignment with the information. Then make references to it all term.

Let’s keep talking….

References Dr. Piers Steel, University of Calgary Dr. Roy Baumesiter, Florida State University Dr. David Rock, Co-founder of the NeuroLeadership Institute, Owner of The Neuroleadership Group Dr. Joseph Ferrari, DePaul University Dr. Timothy Pychyl, Carleton University Dr. Evian Gordon, Dr Evian Gordon is Scientific Chairman and Founding Director of The Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Hospital, CEO and Chairman of Brain Resource Company, Director of BRAINnet.net and Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Sydney, Department of Psychiatry ________________________________________________________ Garrett. D (2012). The Relationship of Decision Fatigue to Procrastination.

Terms Prefrontal CortexExecutive Center – planning, prioritizing, inhibition, Right Ventral Prefrontal Cortex PFC inhibition Limbic SystemEmotional Center Basal GangliaHabit recording Center(s) DopamineNeurotransmitter (and hormone) that is the energy for want OxytocinHormone for bonding and trust establishment Mirror NeuronsNeurons that cause learning through doing what another is doing