ABSTRACT

As noted in Chapter 3, avoidance carries its own built-in reinforcement, enabling the individual respite, for a short while at least, from the anxiety that occurs when the individual encounters situations in which he or she doubts his or her capacity to cope, and where failure is likely to reveal low ability. As is now clear from discussion in Chapter 7, achievement anxiety is greatest in situations of high evaluative threat. Avoidance in whatever guise -- whether through procrastination, intentional low effort, low goal setting or simply opting out — reduces anxiety by enabling the individual to escape a situation that is uncomfortably threatening. It follows that for some, studying actually increases anxiety. Evidence in this regard has been found for both procrastinators and self-worth protective students (McCown & Johnson, 1991; Covington & Omelich, 1991).