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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal

Published on: April 18, 2017

Idleness aversion and the need for justifiable busyness.

Christopher K Hsee¹, Adelle X Yang, Liangyan Wang

¹University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, 5807 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA. chris.hsee@chicagobooth.edu

Psychological Science

|June 16, 2010

Summary

People avoid idleness by seeking any justification to stay busy, even a weak one. Being busy, regardless of the reason, leads to greater happiness than being idle.

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Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Behavioral Economics

Background:

Common motivations for activity include financial gain, fame, and scientific advancement.
A deeper, often overlooked, driver of human behavior may be the aversion to idleness.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the psychological need for busyness.
To determine if a justification is necessary for people to engage in activity.
To examine the relationship between busyness, idleness, and happiness.

Main Methods:

Two experiments were conducted to test the hypotheses.
Participants' choices between idleness and busyness were observed under different justification conditions.
Self-reported happiness levels were measured for participants in both busy and idle states.

Main Results:

Without a justification, individuals tend to choose idleness.
Even a superficial or specious justification can effectively motivate people to be busy.
Individuals who are busy report higher levels of happiness compared to those who are idle.
This happiness increase holds true even when individuals are compelled to be busy.

Conclusions:

The human dread of idleness is a significant motivator for seeking activity.
Apparent goals may often serve as mere justifications to fulfill the need to be busy.
Purposeful engagement, even if based on weak justifications, enhances subjective well-being.