The Uncertainty Model of Boredom and Self-Control Failure: How Ambient Uncertainty Influences Affect and Behaviour during Unrelated Goal Pursuit

Abstract

Integrating basic theories of motivation, boredom and self-regulation, in this dissertation, I present the Uncertainty Model of Boredom and Self-Control Failure (UM-B-SCF). The UM-B-SCF proposes that motivational states elicited in one context can influence affect and behaviour during subsequent unrelated goal pursuit. Motivational theory guiding my work suggests that under conditions of goal conflict and uncertainty, the behavioural inhibition system (BIS) is activated causing generalized shifts in cognition, affect and behaviour, which persist until the conflict can be resolved (Corr & McNaughton, 2008; Gray & McNaughton, 2000). According to the UM-B-SCF, the resulting motivational state is conducive to feelings of boredom and self-control failure. Importantly, if uncertainties persist unresolved, the ambient motivational state can carry forward to cause boredom and low self-control in other goals unrelated to the initial conflict. Across seven studies (N = 1,972), I found consistent support for the proposed model. People who experienced greater uncertainty, whether due to awareness of death (Studies 2 and 3), the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (Studies 4 and 5), an uncertain personal relationship (Study 7), or general life circumstances (Studies 1 and 6) perceived unrelated tasks and projects as more boring and difficult to complete. Felt uncertainty about an initial conflict predicted both experiencing (Studies 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) and anticipating (Studies 2, 3, 5, and 7) more boredom and less self-control in general (Study 1), during a data entry task (Studies 2 and 3), working on daily tasks (Study 4), completing an online survey (Studies 4 and 7), imagining pursuing general (Study 5) and academic or career-related personal projects (Studies 2 and 3), and working toward general (Study 4) and specific academic goals (Study 6) over the course of a month. In Study 6, I assessed between- and within-person variability in uncertainty and found that experiencing more uncertainty on average and feeling more uncertain than usual were both associated with boredom and difficulties exercising self-control. In all seven studies, the results were consistent with an indirect pathway such that uncertainty predicted greater boredom, and boredom in turn predicted less self-control. Collectively, the results of the present research suggest that ambient uncertainty may be an inconspicuous but influential barrier to effective goal pursuit. Findings are discussed with respect to their implications for understanding the proposed theoretical process, including possible alternative conceptualizations of the model. Possible applications of the findings for alleviating boredom and disengagement are also discussed.