Previously there had been only four types of boredom identified, but now scientists have found a fifth type of boredom.
The recent research quantifies and investigates different types of boredom. The study builds on preliminary research done by Dr Thomas Goetz of the University of Konstanz and his colleague Anne Frenzel in 2006. Dr Goetz' study differentiated between four types of boredom according to the levels of arousal, as well as how positive or negative boredom is experienced.
The four major types of boredoms as described by Dr Goetz are "indifferent boredom (relaxed, withdrawn, indifferent), calibrating boredom (uncertain, receptive to change/distraction), searching boredom (restless, active pursuit of change/distraction) and reactant boredom (high reactant, motivated to leave a situation for specific alternatives)."
Now researchers have recognized another subtype of boredom called "apathetic boredom." The latest boredom type is supposed to be a very unpleasant form that resembles learned helplessness or depression. Apathetic boredom is said to be linked with low arousal levels and high levels of hate.
Goetz and his team conducted two real-time experience studies which spanned over two weeks among 63 German university students and 80 German high school learners. All the participants were asked to complete a digital questionnaire throughout the day on a Personal Digital Assistant device regarding their activities and experiences during the day.
The research found that 36 percent of the high school students had apathetic boredom relatively frequently through the day.
"We therefore speculate that experiencing specific boredom types might, to some degree, be due to personality-specific dispositions," said Dr Goetz. "This question can only be adequately answered if we know what type of boredom a student experiences."
The findings of the research shows that the five different boredom types do not just rest on the intensity of the boredom being felt by an individual, but largely on the real-life situation in which it is experienced.
