Study Finds People Would Rather Shock Themselves Than Do Nothing
- 10 years ago
Some people would rather get an electric shock than be left alone to sit and think for a few minutes according to the results of a study by researchers at the University of Virginia. Subjects were directed to sit alone in a room, and they reportedly didn’t enjoy doing nothing, and preferred giving themselves an electric shock from a 9-volt battery, even though they were told it would hurt them if they touched it.
Some people would rather get an electric shock than be left alone to sit and think for a few minutes according to the results of a study by researchers at the University of Virginia.
Subjects were directed to sit alone in a room, and they reportedly didn’t enjoy doing nothing, and preferred giving themselves an electric shock from a 9-volt battery, even though they were told it would hurt them if they touched it.
Co-author of the study Timothy Wilson, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia is quoted as saying: “Our minds have evolved to a point where we do have this alternative; we're the only animals that can turn off engagement and turn into our own heads. But we still have that mammalian brain that wants to engage.”
The results of the study show that 67 percent of male participants shocked themselves at least once during the fifteen minute period, compared to 25 percent of women who participated in the study.
The reason why people have a hard time just sitting alone quietly with their thoughts is complicated, but the researchers think it could be related to the digital distraction of personal electronic devices.
Some people would rather get an electric shock than be left alone to sit and think for a few minutes according to the results of a study by researchers at the University of Virginia.
Subjects were directed to sit alone in a room, and they reportedly didn’t enjoy doing nothing, and preferred giving themselves an electric shock from a 9-volt battery, even though they were told it would hurt them if they touched it.
Co-author of the study Timothy Wilson, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia is quoted as saying: “Our minds have evolved to a point where we do have this alternative; we're the only animals that can turn off engagement and turn into our own heads. But we still have that mammalian brain that wants to engage.”
The results of the study show that 67 percent of male participants shocked themselves at least once during the fifteen minute period, compared to 25 percent of women who participated in the study.
The reason why people have a hard time just sitting alone quietly with their thoughts is complicated, but the researchers think it could be related to the digital distraction of personal electronic devices.