Use of an explicit rule decreases procrastination in university students

Harrison et al. (2016) worked with 24 college students in a writing class. They used an alternating-treatments design to test one simple rule.

The rule said: if you start late, the final paper moves earlier. Students heard this rule only when they missed early deadlines. The researchers then tracked how much they procrastinated.

When the rule was in place, students started sooner and met more deadlines. Their final papers also earned higher grades.

Procrastination dropped by about half during rule weeks compared with baseline weeks.

Dugan et al. (1995) called this kind of trick soft commitment. Instead of fighting every urge, you set up a path that makes the long-term payoff easier to reach. Johnson’s rule is a live example of that idea.

Campbell et al. (2021) used the same quick-switch design to test voice feedback. Both studies show that small, clear cues can flip behavior fast.

Downing et al. (1976) also boosted college performance, but with a special textbook. Johnson’s rule gives the same gain without rewriting the book.

You can copy this rule in any class or clinic where clients drag their feet. State the contingency early: delay now, deadline moves up. No extra points, no nagging—just a clear if-then. Try it next time you assign a report or a training task.