Laziness: Definition, Opposite, & Psychology​

By Beth Birenbaum, MPH
What exactly is laziness and how does being labeled as lazy affect us? ​
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What could be worse than being called lazy? It insinuates a lack of motivation, ambition, and drive; it also implies self-indulgence. (My mother accused me of this many times when I was a kid.) 

On the surface, laziness seems pretty straightforward. But it’s highly subjective. Is a lazy person someone who tries to get away with doing little at work? 
Is it someone who has low energy, or is slow? Someone who always tries to do the bare minimum, or someone who doesn’t want to do anything at all?

In this article, we’ll define laziness, take a look at its causes and the psychology behind it, and offer some strategies for overcoming it. 
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What Is Laziness? (A Definition)​

Laziness is defined as the lack of motivation to do something, despite having the ability to do it (Balmores-Paulino, 2019). Dictionary.com defines laziness as “having or showing an unwillingness to work” (Dictionary.com, n.d.)  It can also mean being slow-moving or sluggish. 

The concept of laziness is subjective and can be interpreted in different ways depending on cultural, societal, and individual perspectives. It is not a well-defined, scientifically quantifiable construct and isn't studied much in psychological research. However, it’s closely related to procrastination, which has been studied quite a bit more.

Opposite of Laziness​

The opposite of laziness is diligence or industriousness. Diligence refers to a strong work ethic, a willingness to put in effort, and a commitment to completing tasks and fulfilling responsibilities efficiently and effectively. It involves being proactive, motivated, and dedicated to achieving one's goals and responsibilities. When I think of the opposite of laziness, I picture someone who is hardworking and full of energy.

Does Laziness Actually Exist?

The concept of laziness is complex and often subjective, and there’s disagreement about whether it actually exists or not. Some people believe that laziness is a real personality trait, while others believe that it is simply a label that we apply to people who do not meet our expectations of productivity (Madsen, 2018). In addition, even if it is a legitimate concept, it's not easy to study because it refers to the absence of something, such as a lack of action or motivation (Madsen, 2018).

In his book “Laziness Does Not Exist,” social psychologist Devon Price argues that laziness is not a real personality trait. He contends that laziness is often used as a way to dismiss people who are different from us or who don’t meet our expectations. He also argues that there are many other factors that can contribute to a lack of motivation, such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem (Price, 2021). In addition, unfortunately, it’s not unusual to label people as lazy when they are simply not being given the right opportunities or resources to succeed.

Causes of Laziness

Causes of laziness include:
​
  • Human nature: Our nomadic ancestors needed energy to find food and to fight or flee when under threat, so we evolved to save energy.
  • Lack of clear goals: When we don't have well-defined goals or a sense of purpose, we struggle to find motivation to work toward something meaningful.
  • Overwhelm: When faced with a large number of tasks or a high level of stress, some people may become overwhelmed and resort to doing nothing as a coping mechanism.
  • Burnout: Prolonged periods of overwork or stress can lead to burnout, which can manifest as a lack of motivation and energy to tackle tasks.
  • Depression: Depression often looks like laziness. When it’s laziness, though, you’re typically able to do something, but you don’t. You just don’t want to. By contrast, a symptom of depression is that you’re unable to act even though you do want to. No amount of willpower will help (Antonatos, 2022).
  • Self-doubt: Self-doubt can lead to laziness because it can cause people to feel like they are not good enough to participate in the world. This can cause people to retreat to the safety of their own space and feel that doing nothing is better than messing things up for others.
  • Exhaustion: Sometimes we simply need to rest. Western culture pushes us to be “always on.” This isn’t sustainable. Some may view needing to take a break as laziness. 
  • Fear: A fear of failing, criticism, or rejection can paralyze individuals, leading them to procrastinate and avoid things they perceive as challenging or risky.
  • Lack of discipline: Difficulty in self-regulation and managing one's time effectively can result in laziness. This may involve giving in to distractions or prioritizing short-term gratification over long-term goals.

In addition, you may feel lazy for lots of different reasons. Some of these include:
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  • Medical conditions: chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or thyroid problems, for example.
  • Lack of meaning: feeling as though a task or your life has no purpose or meaning.
  • Lifestyle: poor nutrition, sleep issues, lack of exercise, substance use.

Laziness Symptoms

Laziness isn’t a psychological diagnosis, so technically it doesn’t have “symptoms.” In addition, what we call laziness may often be an indication of something else going on that needs to be addressed, like anxiety, depression, or exhaustion. So perhaps the items below can be viewed as behaviors that are often referred to as signs of laziness rather than symptoms:
​
  • Procrastination: Procrastination is often seen as synonymous with laziness. It involves delaying tasks, often until the last possible moment, and can result in increased stress and poor outcomes. This can happen even if you view the tasks as important or necessary.
  • Avoiding responsibilities: You may avoid responsibilities and tasks that need to be completed, either by postponing them or finding excuses to skip them altogether.
  • Lack of focus: You may find it difficult to concentrate on tasks, leading to decreased efficiency when working.
  • Distractions: You may be easily distracted by things like social media, television, or other forms of entertainment, which can hinder your ability to focus on important tasks.
  • Feeling overwhelmed: Avoiding getting things done leads to feeling overwhelmed by the accumulating volume of tasks or responsibilities, which in turn leads to a sense of helplessness and inaction.
  • Lack of initiative: We’re often viewed by other people (or ourselves) as lacking the initiative or motivation to take on new challenges or pursue professional or personal goals.
  • Physical inactivity: Avoiding physical activity or having a sedentary lifestyle (being a couch potato) is typically seen as lazy.
  • Feeling tired frequently: Is this a sign of laziness or something else? Fatigue is also associated with depression, medical issues, and, most obviously, not sleeping well.

Examples of Laziness​

Some things that are commonly viewed as laziness include:
​
  • Not doing homework or other assignments, or turning everything in late.
  • Spending the whole day watching TV or browsing the internet.
  • Not looking for a job when you’re unemployed.
  • Always showing up late.
  • Relying on others to do tasks that you’re perfectly able to do on your own.
  • Coming up with excuses for not following through on commitments or responsibilities.
  • Allowing your home to become cluttered and disorganized.
  • Ignoring personal hygiene like not showering, brushing teeth, or getting dressed. I picture The Dude from “The Big Lebowski.” ​

Psychology of Laziness

Since laziness isn’t considered a psychological construct, there aren’t psychological theories of laziness. However, there are theories about procrastination, which is closely related. There are two main psychological theories on procrastination:
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  • Temporal motivation theory: This theory suggests that people are more likely to procrastinate on tasks that are difficult, unpleasant, or not rewarded until the distant future. We tend to devalue rewards that are in the distant future in favor of immediate gratification. We choose tasks that give immediate rewards instead of future payoffs (Rozental & Carlbring, 2014). For example, “I think I’ll clean up my workspace rather than work on my dissertation.”
  • Emotion regulation theory: Procrastination can be a way to cope with negative emotions such as anxiety, fear of failure, or perfectionism. We delay tasks to avoid the discomfort associated with these emotions. Procrastination serves as an emotion regulation strategy. In other words, we procrastinate as a strategy to feel good in the short term over long-term goals. “The present self engages in self-defeating delay at the expense of the future self” (Pychyl & Sirois, 2016). ​

Laziness Gene

There isn’t a single “laziness gene,” but there’s evidence to support the idea that laziness is at least partially genetic. While there is ongoing research into the genetic basis of various behaviors and personality traits, such as motivation and procrastination, these traits are typically polygenic, meaning they involve multiple genes working together, and they are also heavily influenced by environmental, psychological, and social factors. However, the tendency to be less physically active may be connected to a single gene (more on that in the next section).

One interesting study identified some genes associated with traits that might indirectly influence motivation or energy levels. For example, genes related to dopamine and serotonin receptors have been linked to personality traits like novelty-seeking or impulsivity, which can affect motivation and goal-directed behavior (Ptáček et al., 2011). However, these genetic associations are complex and not deterministic. They suggest a potential predisposition, but it’s not a guarantee of laziness.​

Laziness and Exercise

I am a big exerciser. I actually like it. Of course, there are times when I don’t feel like it. But I know if I don’t do it I’ll feel like crap, so I do it anyway. Even sometimes when I’m sick. It almost feels like a compulsion. My dad also loved sports and physical activity. Did I inherit this urge from him?

Research suggests the answer may be yes. A recent study identified a gene in rats, dubbed the “couch potato gene,” that’s associated with physical inactivity. This study could lead to a better understanding of the genetic components that lead to physical inactivity (one form of laziness) in people. Since a sedentary lifestyle leads to all kinds of chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, this research could benefit public health (University of Missouri, 2019). In addition, some of us may get more of that good feeling from exercise (a dopamine high) than others. The video below does a great job of explaining. 

But even if you didn’t get the “exercise gene,” that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a life of inactivity. There are environmental, cultural, and emotional factors involved as well. In fact, some researchers believe situational factors have just as much influence on our behavior as inherited traits (Sherman et al., 2015). ​

Video: The Science of Laziness

How to Overcome Laziness

  • Set goals: Define specific, achievable goals that motivate you. Having a clear sense of purpose can provide the necessary motivation to get started.
  • Take small steps: Large tasks can be overwhelming and make laziness more likely. Break them into smaller, more manageable steps and tackle them one at a time.
  • Create a plan: Establish a daily or weekly schedule that includes dedicated time for work, leisure, and rest. A well-structured routine can help combat laziness.
  • Tell others your plan: This will help hold you accountable. 
  • Accept setbacks: Everyone faces obstacles and failures. Instead of succumbing to laziness when things go wrong, use setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.
  • Two-minute rule: If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. This prevents small tasks from piling up and feeling overwhelming.
  • Remove distractions: Identify and eliminate distractions that contribute to laziness, such as excessive phone use, social media, or a cluttered workspace.
  • Be patient and persistent: Overcoming laziness is a gradual process. Be patient with yourself, and keep working on developing productive habits.

Video: Overcoming Laziness and Setting World Records

Quotes on Laziness

  • “Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.” — Jules Renard
  • “Progress doesn’t come from early risers—progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.” — Robert A. Heinlein
  • “Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction.” — Anne Frank
  • “You are only as lazy or lacking in willpower as you think you are.” — Ken Christian
  • “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” — Sam Keen
  • “The three chief virtues of a programmer are: Laziness, Impatience, and Hubis.” — Larry Wall
  • “I like the word ‘indolence’. It makes my laziness seem classy.” — Bernard Williams

Articles Related to Laziness

​Want to learn more? Check out these articles:

Books Related to Laziness

If you’d like to keep learning more, here are a few books that you might be interested in.

Final Thoughts on Laziness​

Laziness is a complex and often misunderstood aspect of human behavior. While it's easy to label someone as lazy, it's essential to recognize that laziness can stem from various factors, including physical, emotional, and psychological elements. Rather than passing judgment, it's more productive to approach laziness with empathy and understanding.
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While there’s no easy “cure,” overcoming laziness is possible. Setting clear goals, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and removing distractions can help. But more importantly, understanding what causes laziness and not being so hard on yourself are keys to avoiding setting up a self-fulfilling feedback loop.

Ultimately, we should remember that times of rest and relaxation are essential for our well-being and creativity. Not every instance of idleness should be viewed as laziness. It helps to embrace a balanced approach and acknowledge the importance of both work and leisure.

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