Accelerating Dissertation Writing: Case Study

Abstract

In an application of Zimmerman's productive avoidance technique, to accelerate dissertation writing, an S who had postponed writing her dissertation for 2 yr. deposited $50 in cash with E. Five dollars was returned each week to S contingent on 5 pages of writing being submitted; otherwise the money was mailed to a church organization S intensely disliked. After the eighth week a draft was complete, and S's committee requested only minor revisions; treatment was suspended. As revisions had not been made 6 wk. later, contingencies were reinstated. A complete final draft was finished within a week.