EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF BINGE-WATCHING ON ACADEMIC MOTIVATION AND ACADEMIC PROCRASTINATION IN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE UAE

Аннотация

INTRODUCTION The increased internet connectivity and the Binge-watching is a crucial problem and can be emergence of new technologies have given defined as serial viewing of a program’s episode in multiple opportunities for students to distract and rapid succession (Gangadhabatla, Ackerman, & disengage from their academics. Social science Bamford, 2019; Merill & Rubeking, 2019; theories of mass communication affirm that media Rubenking et al., 2018; Walton-Pattison, could shape and affect many aspects of decision- Dombrowski, & Presseau, 2018). Binge-watching is making (Morgan, 2017). Binge-watching is among among the many leisure activities that compete for the emerging concepts that gained attention of students’ time and distract them from their studies. https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajmei 63 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS INNOVATIONS (ISSN- 2693-0811) VOLUME 06 ISSUE11 many researchers because of its substantial effects number of studies have tried to establish the on individuals, including students. A recent survey motivations for binge-watching. However, revealed that almost 90% of millennials engage in inadequate attention has been given to the possible binge-watching, with college students accounting effects of the habit and the ultimate effect on for a sizable share (Gangadharbatla et al., 2019; students' academics was inconclusive. Therefore, Merill & Rubenking, 2019). A Harris Interactive to fill the research gap, this study explores the Poll (2014) suggested that younger audiences had influence of binge-watching on academic a higher tendency of bingeing compared to the motivation and procrastination. Finally, general population. Walton-Pattison et al. (2018) understanding the relationship could help students found that young people binge-watched an average in regulating their binge-watching behaviors that of 1.42 days per week. A study conducted by affect their academics adversely. Chambliss et al. (2017) revealed that binge- The continued growth and use of modern watching, especially on Netflix, had a substantial technologies create many opportunities for effect on students' academics. Likewise, a survey academic success but also a multiplicity of on Netflix viewers by West (2014) showed that challenges. New technologies could lead to 73% of users had a positive impact on bingeing. destructive behaviors, including binge-watching, The outcome can be associated with the urge to among students. Building from the previous watch many episodes in succession. Studies have literature, binge-watching is expected to increase revealed several antecedents of binge-watching, as technologies continue evolving significantly. including self-regulatory deficits, make it With this in mind, it is substantial to understand challenging for students to stay on one task the ways binge-watching affects college students' (Flayelle, Maurage, & Billieux, 2017; Sung, Kang, & motivation. Moreover, this approach remains Lee, 2018; Mikos, 2016; Merrill & Ribenking, 2019). briefly addressed in the literature emphasizing Technological advancements have provided students in the Middle East. Problematizing binge- opportunities for people to watch television and watching in the context of the UAE could greatly other media at any moment using different devices. help student affairs practitioners in responding As such, binge-watching has grown into a promptly through the implementation of phenomenon across the globe (Merill & Rubenking, appropriate guidelines. The primary focus of this 2019). The digitally active population engages in research is to investigate the effect of binge- binge-watching, especially during its free time. watching on academics. In particular, the study However, many millennials experience fear of aims to analyze the extent to which binge-watching missing out (FOMO) in which they believe that influences students’ motivation and watching a program that others are watching at the procrastination tendencies. same time would bring positive rewards (Matrix, Literature Review 2014). Students engage in two forms of leisure while at Being a new concept, binge-watching requires college. On the one hand, they could participate in attention pertinent to its influence on students’ constructive recreation, including sports and academics. In the UAE, a recent study (Samoglu & volunteer work, which contributes to skill Al Subaihi, 2016) revealed that binge-watching is a development and demands a long-term growing trend with the introduction of streaming commitment. Conversely, they could also join in services such as Netflix and other such services. A pleasurable or casual leisure that requires minimal https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajmei 64 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS INNOVATIONS (ISSN- 2693-0811) VOLUME 06 ISSUE11 skills, for instance, socialization and tv watching cannot be considered conclusive because the study (Da