The Many Faces of Boredom: A Negative Emotion That Is So Common, It Is Simply Accepted, or Brushed Off

Abstract

Researchers have tried to dissect boredom in a number of different ways. Researchers have differentiated “state” and “trait” boredom. State boredom may be a temporary phenomenon that occurs when the environment is not sufficiently stimulating for a student. State boredom needs to be distinguished from simple tiredness or procrastination. Trait boredom is described as boredom proneness or increased susceptibility to boredom that is characteristic of some students. Considerable research has been conducted around boredom proneness. Boredom proneness is associated with many negative psychological, health, and behavioral outcomes. In addition to these broad categories of boredom, researchers have identified: indifferent boredom, calibrating boredom, searching boredom, reactant or agitated boredom, and apathetic boredom. Reactant and apathetic boredom subtypes are most common in the school setting.