INSIGHTS
Recent studies have linked boredom with enhanced learning and awareness.
A recent survey found that boredom is the leading motivator in job-seeking.
Recently-published thought pieces argue that boredom is an essential part of creativity and valuable self-reflection.
Recent studies have linked boredom with enhanced learning and awareness.
A recent survey found that boredom is the leading motivator in job-seeking.
Recently-published thought pieces argue that boredom is an essential part of creativity and valuable self-reflection.
FINDINGS
One recent study found that boredom, when paired with curiosity, is associated with greater capacity for learning. Another study found that boredom correlates with a greater sense of awareness, both of the external world and the internal workings of one's mind. A recent survey found that boredom is the leading cause of job-seeking, suggesting that it is a key motivating factor in employment. Recent thought pieces have argued that boredom stimulates creativity and valuable self-reflection. Below is a complete look at our findings on the value of boredom.
One recent study found that boredom, when paired with curiosity, is associated with greater capacity for learning. Another study found that boredom correlates with a greater sense of awareness, both of the external world and the internal workings of one's mind. A recent survey found that boredom is the leading cause of job-seeking, suggesting that it is a key motivating factor in employment. Recent thought pieces have argued that boredom stimulates creativity and valuable self-reflection. Below is a complete look at our findings on the value of boredom.
ACADEMIC STUDIES: THE VALUE OF BOREDOM
1. Boredom-driven curious learning by Homeo-Heterostatic Value Gradients
Overview and salient findings: This study used "the Homeo-Heterostatic Value Gradients (HHVG) algorithm as a formal account on the constructive interplay between boredom and curiosity." Ultimately, the researchers found that people who were both bored and curious "consistently outperformed other curious agents in self-assisted world model learning," suggesting that boredom may be an important factor in driving learning and comprehension.
2. A meditation on boredom: Reappraising its value through introspective phenomenology
Overview and salient findings: This study used introspective phenomenology to determine the effects of boredom on study participants. It found that "the state of boredom contained three main sources of value: (a) altered perception of time; (b) awakened curiosity about the environment; and (c) exploration of self." As a result, the study's authors note that boredom may, contrary to popular belief, have "the potential to be a positive and rewarding experience."
SURVEYS: THE VALUE OF BOREDOM
After an extensive search, only one study regarding the value of boredom could be found. We used three approaches to find surveys of this sort. First, we searched databases like Google Scholar. While some surveys were found via this approach, they all concerned negative side effects associated with boredom, like a recent survey that linked boredom to a host of negative emotions. Next, we searched prominent polling institutions, such as Pew and Nielsen, as well as companies that often conduct surveys, such as PwC and Deloitte. No relevant surveys could be found in this way. As a third approach, we sought media reports that might report on relevant surveys. We could not find any consumer surveys in this way, but after expanding our search to incorporate surveys conducted with regard to any type of respondent, we found a survey of 'professionals' concerning boredom in the workplace that indicates the value of boredom as a motivational factor. This was the only relevant survey located in the course of our search; as such, we have elected to provide a second thought piece in lieu of a second survey.
1. What's Really Driving Job Seekers in 2018?
Overview: This survey included approximately 5,000 professionals. It found that the primary reason for job-seeking is boredom, followed by 'looking for a new challenge' and a higher salary. This suggests that boredom may be a key motivational factor in employment.
THOUGHT PIECES: THE VALUE OF BOREDOM
1. Why the Feeling of Boredom Is so Important in Life
Overview: This piece argues that boredom is an essential element of creativity. The author states that "the cultivation of imagination relies on boredom" and that "we need moments of space, of absence, to free up the overwhelming deluge of information assaulting our nervous system every moment of every day."
2. Why Boredom Can be Good for You
Overview: This piece argues that boredom is necessary for valuable introspection and self-reflection. The author states that, when bored, "we can revisit past experiences, enjoy them afresh, maybe see them in a different light and gain new understanding, or rethink future plans." Similarly, she asserts that "we must learn to appreciate and enjoy raw time as a precious resource," something that is only possible through boredom and the subsequent processes of introspection that she describes.
CONCLUSION
Above, we have provided studies findings that boredom is associated with enhanced learning and awareness; a survey indicating that boredom is a strong motivator of job-seeking; and thought pieces arguing that boredom stimulates creativity and valuable self-reflection. Because we could only locate one survey regarding the value of boredom, we provided two thought pieces on the subject instead.
1. Boredom-driven curious learning by Homeo-Heterostatic Value Gradients
Overview and salient findings: This study used "the Homeo-Heterostatic Value Gradients (HHVG) algorithm as a formal account on the constructive interplay between boredom and curiosity." Ultimately, the researchers found that people who were both bored and curious "consistently outperformed other curious agents in self-assisted world model learning," suggesting that boredom may be an important factor in driving learning and comprehension.
2. A meditation on boredom: Reappraising its value through introspective phenomenology
Overview and salient findings: This study used introspective phenomenology to determine the effects of boredom on study participants. It found that "the state of boredom contained three main sources of value: (a) altered perception of time; (b) awakened curiosity about the environment; and (c) exploration of self." As a result, the study's authors note that boredom may, contrary to popular belief, have "the potential to be a positive and rewarding experience."
SURVEYS: THE VALUE OF BOREDOM
After an extensive search, only one study regarding the value of boredom could be found. We used three approaches to find surveys of this sort. First, we searched databases like Google Scholar. While some surveys were found via this approach, they all concerned negative side effects associated with boredom, like a recent survey that linked boredom to a host of negative emotions. Next, we searched prominent polling institutions, such as Pew and Nielsen, as well as companies that often conduct surveys, such as PwC and Deloitte. No relevant surveys could be found in this way. As a third approach, we sought media reports that might report on relevant surveys. We could not find any consumer surveys in this way, but after expanding our search to incorporate surveys conducted with regard to any type of respondent, we found a survey of 'professionals' concerning boredom in the workplace that indicates the value of boredom as a motivational factor. This was the only relevant survey located in the course of our search; as such, we have elected to provide a second thought piece in lieu of a second survey.
1. What's Really Driving Job Seekers in 2018?
Overview: This survey included approximately 5,000 professionals. It found that the primary reason for job-seeking is boredom, followed by 'looking for a new challenge' and a higher salary. This suggests that boredom may be a key motivational factor in employment.
THOUGHT PIECES: THE VALUE OF BOREDOM
1. Why the Feeling of Boredom Is so Important in Life
Overview: This piece argues that boredom is an essential element of creativity. The author states that "the cultivation of imagination relies on boredom" and that "we need moments of space, of absence, to free up the overwhelming deluge of information assaulting our nervous system every moment of every day."
2. Why Boredom Can be Good for You
Overview: This piece argues that boredom is necessary for valuable introspection and self-reflection. The author states that, when bored, "we can revisit past experiences, enjoy them afresh, maybe see them in a different light and gain new understanding, or rethink future plans." Similarly, she asserts that "we must learn to appreciate and enjoy raw time as a precious resource," something that is only possible through boredom and the subsequent processes of introspection that she describes.
CONCLUSION
Above, we have provided studies findings that boredom is associated with enhanced learning and awareness; a survey indicating that boredom is a strong motivator of job-seeking; and thought pieces arguing that boredom stimulates creativity and valuable self-reflection. Because we could only locate one survey regarding the value of boredom, we provided two thought pieces on the subject instead.