Interpreting Boredom: A Sociological Perspective on Emotion and Identity


Cinthya Guzman, University of Prince Edward Island

For this presentation, I examine boredom through comprehensive qualitative interviews with 100 individuals in Ontario, conducted between May and October 2019. These narratives reveal how individuals experience and articulate boredom in relation to their familial backgrounds, life transitions, and cultural narratives. The study identifies six distinct relations (and associated experiences) to boredom: avoidance vs. Embracing, struggle vs. Acceptance, and internal vs. External-seeking. This classification underscores the diversity of experiences with boredom and reflects the intricate ways individuals navigate their emotional landscapes within their social environments. To help explain and make sense of these diverse relations and experiences of boredom, I introduce the concept of plausible path articulations as a novel sociological framework for exploring individual responses to emotional states. Boredom is not merely a lack of stimulation; it is a complex emotional state that intertwines with past structures, current social realities, and resonant cultural repertoires speaking to future orientations. My proposed approach transcends traditional views on boredom, shifting focus to how individuals encounter and interpret this state. The narratives from the interviews highlight various experiences with boredom, from individuals feeling a sense of disconnection and searching for social fulfillment, to those finding introspective meaning and self-validation. The study’s findings delve into the broader implications of boredom, considering its role as a reflection of social location and as a mechanism by which emotions intersect with collective perceptions and social structures. Methodologically, the paper employs theoretical sampling and focuses on in-depth case exploration over broad representativeness. The challenges in recruitment due to the requirement for smartphone access and the initial over-representation of certain demographics are addressed through targeted recruitment strategies. The qualitative interviews, conducted after an experience sampling method (ESM) protocol, providing rich insights into boredom as perceived by respondents. This protocol, requiring participants to chronicle their experiences six times a day, fosters a high level of self-examination, enriching the study with layered understanding of individuals navigation of boredom. A key finding is the diverse coping mechanisms individuals employ in response to boredom. These range from actively seeking external stimulation and social interaction to introspective methods that involve self-reflection and personal growth. The study also sheds light on how boredom can act as a catalyst for change, pushing individuals to re-evaluate their life choices and pursue meaningful activities that align with their personal goals and values. The proposed paper highlights the importance of understanding boredom in the context of an individual’s entire life narrative, including past experiences, present circumstances, and future aspirations. As such, the paper offers a novel perspective on boredom, expanding the sociological understanding of this emotion. Boredom is not a monolithic state but varies in its expression and impact, influenced by an individual’s life stage, cultural background, and past socialization, notably familial. This research thus contributes to a broader sociological understanding of boredom, moving beyond static definitions to explore how it manifests as a facet of identity and meaning-making.

This paper will be presented at the following session: