ABSTRACT
Boredom is a ubiquitous human experience, one characterized by disengagement of attention, poor self-control, and negative affective evaluations. While the bulk of the research on boredom has explored individual differences in trait dispositions (e.g., associations with depression, aggression, etc.), there is a growing body of work exploring the neural correlates of the experience. In this chapter, we explore functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings that hint at the involvement of the default mode network and insular cortex, and electroencephalography (EEG) findings that support the characterization of boredom as a disengaged attentional state. We finish with a call for further research given the nascent state of imaging research on boredom, particularly as it relates to trait boredom proneness.
