Are you boring? What do the scientists think?

A group of scientists, perhaps with nothing better to do, believe they have the answer to the question “are you boring.” After conducting their research they listed those they say the research pointed to being the most boring in the world.

Top of the list came those who live in a small town, are accountants who like to watch TV, while religion, bird watching and smoking arose as the dullest hobbies. Jobs in data analysis, cleaning and banking they say are are also signs you might not be very interesting.

Dr Wijnand Van Tilburg, who led the study, said boring people are generally disliked and avoided by others: ‘The irony is, studying boredom is actually very interesting and has many real-life impacts.

‘This paper shows how persuasive perceptions of boredom are and what an impact this can have on people.

‘Perceptions can change but people may not take time to speak to those with “boring” jobs and hobbies, instead choosing to avoid them.

‘They don’t get a chance to prove people wrong and break these negative stereotypes.

‘The very fact that people choose to avoid them can lead to social ostracisation and increase loneliness leading to a really negative impact on their lives.’

The study, carried out by the Essex University’s Department of Psychology, also revealed being perceived as boring means people are also likely to be viewed as having low competence and lack interpersonal warmth.

They also found that being boring may actually be harmful to the individual as they are more likely to suffer addiction and mental health issues.

For Dr Van Tilburg he said: ‘It was interesting to me to see the study showed that boring people were not seen as competent.

‘I would have thought that accountants would be seen as boring, but effective and the perfect person to do a good job on your tax return.

‘The truth of the matter is people like bankers and accountants are highly capable and have power in society – perhaps we should try not to upset them and stereotype them as boring.”

The peer reviewed paper which sought to answer the million dollar question “are you boring” has been published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

Some of the findings include the most boring jobs:

1. Data Analysis
2. Accounting
3. Tax/insurance
4. Cleaning
5. Banking

On the opposite end of the scale, the most exciting jobs were found to be

1. Performing arts
2. Science
3. Journalism
4. Health professional
5. Teaching

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