27. Interest

There is strong empirical support(1) for the claim that interest (sometimes called the need for stimulation, exploratory drive, stimulus hunger – or simply escape from boredom) is one of the fundamental and universal drives among animals and humans. The term interest is used not only because it is more common than the other terms, but also because it has a wider (not limited only to sensations) and more appropriate meaning in relation to people.

Human interest does not depend only on external stimulation. Stimulation can also be internal, or of a different nature (spiritual interest, for example, may even require sensory deprivation). In any case, when this drive is not satisfied, we experience a sense of boredom, which sits at the other end of the spectrum from interest.  Boredom hugely influences human behaviour, so it’s worth looking at it too, with the aim of increasing control over both.

Boredom

Managing boredom is important not only because it is an unpleasant feeling but also because it can be powerful enough to make us do what we don’t really want or not do what we want. Let’s start by examining first when we get bored.

When do we get bored?

Generally speaking, there are two categories of such situations:

• We are bored because nothing is happening (that often-dreaded feeling: “I have nothing to do!”).
• We are bored because of what is happening (e.g. we feel that an activity, movie, lecture, conversation, or activity is boring).

We will consider these categories in more detail next, bearing in mind that interest and boredom depend not only on circumstances but also on ourselves. Both are, to a large degree, in the ‘eyes of the beholder’ rather than dictated by the immediate circumstances.

We are bored because nothing is happening

The quickest escape when we have nothing to do is to turn to the mobile phone, computer or TV. However, if this becomes a habit, it narrows our options and, over time, it becomes harder to beat boredom this way. For example, you may turn to social media even if you know it will likely be a waste of time, because nothing else comes to mind.

However, the chance is that it will not remove the sense of boredom and will only increase your dissatisfaction. This is like going fishing in a swimming pool! So it may be worthwhile considering other options. As above, they can be grouped into two categories:

• Learn to enjoy doing nothing: sunbathing, daydreaming, meditating, sleeping, ‘cloud-spotting’ can all be enjoyable.
• Find something interesting to do: take the situation as an opportunity to discover something new and /or uncover your potential. This consists of two steps as described in the following exercise (the reason why we don’t get there spontaneously is the tendency to skip the first step):

Finding something interesting to do:

• Brainstorm possibilities: list everything that can possibly be done without any judgement. For example, if doing the washing up comes to mind, don’t judge it at this stage, just put in on the list! There are many things that can be done even if you are locked in an empty room (yoga, exercises, solving a mental problem, trying to escape, rehearse a role or a speech, write a novel in your mind, etc.)
• Imagine doing each of these items on the list, how you will feel during and after (e.g. tidying may not be immediately appealing but you may feel great when you finish), and then make a choice. If anything grabs you while you are going through the list, just go for it!

We are bored because of what is happening

We have two options in this case too:

• We can either change the situation (e.g. leave a boring party or suggest something to make it more interesting).
• We can change our attitude, find a way to get interested.

When should we use the first option, and when should we use the second? This depends on worthwhileness. If the boring situation is also not worthwhile, changing the situation may be a good idea. However, if the situation is worthwhile, changing your attitude towards it may be better. Remember, though, that something that does not seem worthwhile or relevant now (e.g. physical exercise) may matter in the future. Also, a process, not only an end goal, may be worthwhile. For example, when we do crosswords, it is not the end result that is really important but exercising our brain and developing thinking skills.

Internal reasons for boredom

The reasons for getting bored may lie in us rather than in the situation. Here are the most common ones:

• being closed, refusing to engage;
• ignorance (e.g. a football match is boring for those who don’t understand the rules);
• self-importance (those who feel more important than anything or anybody else often feel bored);
• adopting an attitude of default boredom to leave an impression of being cool or superior, which can become a trap;
• positive expectations, because they attach you to the future and you are ignoring the present (e. g. if you are just waiting for a person you fancy to turn up at the party you may miss the fun and feel bored);
• negative expectations: deciding in advance that something or somebody will be boring can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

All the above depend on you. No situation is necessarily boring if you are willing to engage. So, give it a chance!

How to get interested

• Don’t be afraid of boredom, and don’t let it drive you. Instead, take the situation as a challenge.
• Open up – the more you open up to the possibilities that a situation offers, the more likely it is that you will find something interesting (e.g. if you are bored waiting for a train, you may observe and study the people around you).
• Be curious: what can you learn, understand, explore or discover in a given situation?
• Engage with others (if appropriate).
• Be creative (e.g. doodle while listening to a lecture).
• Relax – lowering your arousal level will help you feel less bored (this is why people don’t get bored when sunbathing).
• Find a purpose or value in the situation.
• Be proactive: if you find a meeting boring, think about and ask an interesting question.
• Spice things up with imagination: for example, when you have to write an assignment or report, imagine you are an investigative journalist. What would they do to investigate the matter? How would they make it interesting?
• Be mindful: don’t get attached to your expectations (positive or negative) and try to be present; you may find that real life – which is always in the present – is not so bad after all!
• Make it more relevant to you (e.g. if you find Shakespeare boring, remember that somebody you fancy may be impressed with your knowledge of Shakespeare).
• Is there anything else you feel besides boredom? If so, try to locate and focus on an aspect of the situation that will amplify any positive feelings that you may have.
• Don’t try to rush through a boring activity – this increases boredom! Deliberately slow down instead. This may sound counterintuitive, but it works.
• If none of the above work for you, just let it be. Boredom can spontaneously push us in a creative direction. A little bit of boredom occasionally may not be such a bad thing!

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(1) See, for example, Berlyne, D. E. (1960) Conflict, Arousal, and Curiosity. New York: McGraw-Hill.