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Published on: April 18, 2017
Cognitive and affective aspects of boredom
Summary
Boredom is linked to subjective monotony and frustration, not necessarily a lack of meaning in stimulation. This research challenges previous assumptions about the causes of boredom.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Previous research often assumed sensory monotony causes boredom.
- This study questions the necessity and sufficiency of monotony as a cause of boredom.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between boredom, subjective monotony, frustration, and the meaningfulness of stimulation.
- To test three specific hypotheses regarding the causes of boredom.
Main Methods:
- Utilized personal construct theory.
- Employed repertory grid techniques across five investigations.
- Examined subjective monotony, frustration, and perceived meaning of stimulation.
Main Results:
- Found significant support for boredom being associated with subjective monotony.
- Confirmed a link between boredom and a high degree of frustration.
- No evidence supported the hypothesis that boredom arises from a lack of meaning in stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Boredom is strongly associated with subjective monotony and frustration.
- The meaningfulness of sensory stimulation does not appear to be a direct cause of boredom.
- Challenges the oversimplified view of monotony as the sole cause of boredom.
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