WHEN DO WE GET BORED? THE EXPERIENCE SAMPLING STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19090/pp.2016.1.5-22Keywords:
boredom, situation perception, multilevel analysis, experience sampling methodAbstract
Data indicate that boredom is a frequently experienced affective state, which is influenced by many situational and individual factors. Most of the studies exploring boredom were conducted by self-report questionnaires and experimental designs inducing boredom in laboratory conditions. The aim of this study is to examine the importance of situational context on experiencing boredom by experience sampling method, which could provide empirical support to ecological validity of previous findings. Total of 102 female students from the University of Osijek, Croatia, participated in this study. They were reporting on the content and perceptions of the current situation as well as current feelings ten times a day during one week. They recorded their responses in semi-structured diaries. Multilevel analysis revealed that, on average, level of boredom decreased in those situations that were perceived as: more unexpected, more positive than usual, and with higher perceptions that a person can cope with it successfully. Additionally, level of boredom was positively related to the perception that situation might be unpleasant. Furthermore, along with the conclusions on the normative level, we discuss inter-individual differences in predictors of boredom states, and theoretical and practical implications of the findings.Metrics
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