Boredom in the Workplace: A New Look at an Old Problem

被引:88
作者
Cummings, Mary L. [1 ]
Gao, Fei [2 ]
Thornburg, Kris M. [3 ]
机构
[1] Duke Univ, Dept Mech Engn & Mat Sci, Durham, NC 27708 USA
[2] MIT, Engn Syst Div, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
[3] US Coast Guard, Cambridge, MA USA
关键词
boredom; automation; distraction; monotony; monitoring; fatigue; workload; SUSTAINED ATTENTION; VIGILANCE DECREMENT; INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES; MONITORING PERFORMANCE; TASK ENGAGEMENT; SEX-DIFFERENCES; MENTAL FATIGUE; SLEEP LOSS; PRONENESS; WORKLOAD;
D O I
10.1177/0018720815609503
中图分类号
B84 [心理学]; C [社会科学总论]; Q98 [人类学];
学科分类号
03 ; 0303 ; 030303 ; 04 ; 0402 ;
摘要
Objective: We review historical and more recent efforts in boredom research and related fields. A framework is presented that organizes the various facets of boredom, particularly in supervisory control settings, and research gaps and future potential areas for study are highlighted. Background: Given the ubiquity of boredom across a wide spectrum of work environmentsexacerbated by increasingly automated systems that remove humans from direct, physical system interaction and possibly increasing tedium in the workplacethere is a need not only to better understand the multiple facets of boredom in work environments but to develop targeted mitigation strategies. Method: To better understand the relationships between the various influences and outcomes of boredom, a systems-based framework, called the Boredom Influence Diagram, is proposed that describes various elements of boredom and their interrelationships. Results: Boredom is closely related to vigilance, attention management, and task performance. This review highlights the need to develop more naturalistic experiments that reflect the characteristics of a boring work environment. Conclusion: With the increase in automation, boredom in the workplace will likely become a more prevalent issue for motivation and retention. In addition, developing continuous measures of boredom based on physiological signals is critical. Application: Personnel selection and improvements in system and task design can potentially mitigate boredom. However, more work is needed to develop and evaluate other potential interventions.
引用
收藏
页码:279 / 300
页数:22
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