Researchers Find Top Jobs, Hobbies And Characteristics Of 'Stereotypically Boring' People

What makes someone "boring"? Researchers have found the jobs, hobbies and characteristics that are mostly linked to boring individuals and how such associations may actually be harmful to them.

Some people are perceived as "boring" simply based on stereotypical beliefs. However, the potential psychological consequences of perceiving someone as boring have largely been "underexplored," according to the authors of the study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

For their study, the researchers identified the features that people tend to associate with being a boring person. Participants were asked to list features they believe are typical in someone who's boring, including their jobs, hobbies and personal characteristics.

"Participants generated a total of 920 personal characteristics (e.g., 'close-minded,' 'uninspired,' 'lacks creativity'), 336 occupations (e.g., 'accountant,' 'lawyer,' 'exterminator'), and 338 hobbies (e.g., 'doll collecting,' 'shopping,' 'going to church')," the researchers wrote.

They then grouped the features and asked other participants to rank "how stereotypical each of these was of boring people."

"To be clear, we thus set out to examine the stereotype that people hold about boring people," the researchers clarified.

They found that the most stereotypical jobs of people perceived as boring were in data analysis, accounting, tax/insurance, cleaning and banking, respectively. On the other hand, the jobs perceived to be the most exciting were in the performing arts, science journalism, health and teaching, the University of Essex noted.

In terms of hobbies, the perceived most stereotypical hobbies of boring people were sleeping, going to church/religion, watching TV, bird watching and mathematics. They were also perceived to prefer living in small towns and cities rather than large settlements.

People stereotypically perceived as boring were also seen to be lacking in warmth and competence and also generally avoided by others. Overall, they were "genuinely disliked," the researchers noted.

"Being a bore is hardly a crime; yet, our studies suggest that those who are stereotypically boring incur negative attributions of warmth and competence, face social disapproval, and test the endurance of people's company," the researchers wrote. In fact, they found that people may expect compensation for having to "endure" their company.

Unfortunately, this could have "substantially negative interpersonal consequences." It can isolate the people perceived as boring, increase their loneliness and have "profound psychological consequences." As pointed out by study lead Wijnand Van Tilburg of the University of Essex, people end up not taking the time to know these people better.

"They don't get a chance to prove people wrong and break these negative stereotypes," Van Tilburg explained. "The very fact that people choose to avoid them can lead to social ostracization and increase loneliness leading to a really negative impact on their lives."

This could place them at greater risk of harm and mental health issues. Furthermore, it's worth noting that the jobs perceived as boring are actually essential to society.

"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!" Van Tilburg added.