Always late? Psychology explains what it may say about your personality
Being late is often seen as laziness or carelessness, but psychology suggests there can be many reasons behind the habit. From planning fallacy and multitasking to stress and time management, here's what research says about people who are always late.
"Just five minutes away" If this sounds like someone you know, you're not alone. Almost everyone has a friend, colleague or family member who turns up late more often than not. Many people quickly label them as lazy or irresponsible.
But psychology says the answer is not that simple. Being late can be linked to planning fallacy, multitasking, stress, time perception and time management.
At the same time, experts also say you cannot judge someone's entire personality based on this one habit alone. Here's what research and psychology have found.
PLANNING FALLACY CAN LEAD TO DELAYS
Some people underestimate how long everyday tasks actually take. They believe getting ready, having breakfast and leaving home will take 20 minutes when the same routine really needs 40 to 45 minutes.
Psychology calls this planning fallacy, where people wrongly estimate the time needed to complete a task. As a result, they end up running late without intending to.
LAST-MINUTE HABITS AND MULTITASKING
Some people wait until the last moment before starting important tasks because they feel there is still plenty of time.
Others try to do too many things before leaving home, such as changing clothes, checking social media, making phone calls and filling a water bottle. These small tasks add up and make them late.
STRESS AND TIME PERCEPTION ALSO PLAY A ROLE
Stress and anxiety can also delay people. Some repeatedly check the door lock, gas, wallet, keys or phone before leaving because they worry they have forgotten something.
Others simply experience time differently and believe they still have enough time, only to realise later that they are already late.
ARE CREATIVE PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO BE LATE?
Some studies suggest creative people can become so absorbed in a project, book, design or music that they lose track of time.
However, this does not mean every creative person is always late or that every late person is highly creative. It is only a behaviour seen in some individuals.
DOES BEING LATE MEAN SOMEONE IS CARELESS?
Occasionally arriving late because of traffic or an unexpected situation is normal. But if someone is late almost every time without a genuine reason and regularly keeps others waiting, it may point to poor time management or a lack of consideration for other people's time.
Psychology also links punctuality to a personality trait called conscientiousness. People with higher conscientiousness usually plan ahead, meet responsibilities and value time.
Those with lower levels may find time management more difficult.
CAN THIS HABIT CHANGE?
Yes. People can improve punctuality by setting their departure time 15 minutes earlier than needed, preparing clothes and essentials the night before, using reminders and keeping extra time for traffic or unexpected delays.
Research by psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky introduced the idea of planning fallacy, while personality research by Paul Costa and Robert McCrae links conscientiousness with better planning and punctuality.
Even so, researchers say being late alone is never enough to judge a person's entire personality. Habits, circumstances, work pressure and mental state can all play a part.
"Just five minutes away" If this sounds like someone you know, you're not alone. Almost everyone has a friend, colleague or family member who turns up late more often than not. Many people quickly label them as lazy or irresponsible.
But psychology says the answer is not that simple. Being late can be linked to planning fallacy, multitasking, stress, time perception and time management.
At the same time, experts also say you cannot judge someone's entire personality based on this one habit alone. Here's what research and psychology have found.
PLANNING FALLACY CAN LEAD TO DELAYS
Some people underestimate how long everyday tasks actually take. They believe getting ready, having breakfast and leaving home will take 20 minutes when the same routine really needs 40 to 45 minutes.
Psychology calls this planning fallacy, where people wrongly estimate the time needed to complete a task. As a result, they end up running late without intending to.
LAST-MINUTE HABITS AND MULTITASKING
Some people wait until the last moment before starting important tasks because they feel there is still plenty of time.
Others try to do too many things before leaving home, such as changing clothes, checking social media, making phone calls and filling a water bottle. These small tasks add up and make them late.
STRESS AND TIME PERCEPTION ALSO PLAY A ROLE
Stress and anxiety can also delay people. Some repeatedly check the door lock, gas, wallet, keys or phone before leaving because they worry they have forgotten something.
Others simply experience time differently and believe they still have enough time, only to realise later that they are already late.
ARE CREATIVE PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO BE LATE?
Some studies suggest creative people can become so absorbed in a project, book, design or music that they lose track of time.
However, this does not mean every creative person is always late or that every late person is highly creative. It is only a behaviour seen in some individuals.
DOES BEING LATE MEAN SOMEONE IS CARELESS?
Occasionally arriving late because of traffic or an unexpected situation is normal. But if someone is late almost every time without a genuine reason and regularly keeps others waiting, it may point to poor time management or a lack of consideration for other people's time.
Psychology also links punctuality to a personality trait called conscientiousness. People with higher conscientiousness usually plan ahead, meet responsibilities and value time.
Those with lower levels may find time management more difficult.
CAN THIS HABIT CHANGE?
Yes. People can improve punctuality by setting their departure time 15 minutes earlier than needed, preparing clothes and essentials the night before, using reminders and keeping extra time for traffic or unexpected delays.
Research by psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky introduced the idea of planning fallacy, while personality research by Paul Costa and Robert McCrae links conscientiousness with better planning and punctuality.
Even so, researchers say being late alone is never enough to judge a person's entire personality. Habits, circumstances, work pressure and mental state can all play a part.
