London: Who is the most boring person in the world?
According to the University of Essex, it’s a data entry worker, who likes watching TV and lives in a town.
Led by Dr Wijnand Van Tilburg of the university’s Department of Psychology, the study that involved 500 people lists the jobs, characteristics and hobbies that are considered most boring. As also, the dangers of stereotyping such people.
Here’s what the peer-reviewed study, which appeared in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, found:
The top five most boring jobs
- Data Analysis
- Accounting
- Tax/insurance
- Cleaning
- Banking
The top five most exciting jobs
- Performing arts
- Science
- Journalism
- Health professional
- Teaching
The top five most boring hobbies
- Sleeping
- Religion
- Watching TV
- Observing animals
- Mathematics
“These paper shows how persuasive perceptions of boredom are and what an impact this can have on people,” said Van Tilburg. “Perceptions can change but people may not take time to speak to those with ‘boring’ jobs and hobbies, instead choosing to avoid them,” he said.
“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,” Van Tilburg added.
These people may be at greater risk of addiction, mental health issues and self-harm, the study found, adding that individuals in boring occupations are also viewed as less competent and lacking warm interpersonal skills.
However, despite the negative perceptions, society needs people to perform roles such as accounting and banking.
“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,” said Van Tilburg.
The most boring person in the world has been discovered by @WAPvanTilburg in @EssexPsychology
Religious data-entry workers, who like watching TV are seen as the dullest company.
See how you measure up in the lists below 🔽https://t.co/RNXwsYFnyT pic.twitter.com/PUcYXRa6g9— University of Essex (@Uni_of_Essex) March 18, 2022
