(2014-07-03) You Would Rather Endure Small Electric Shocks Than Sit Alone With Your Thoughts

You Would Rather Endure Small Electric Shocks Than Sit Alone With Your Thoughts, Study Finds. In 11 studies, we found that participants typically did not enjoy spending 6 to 15 minutes in a room by themselves with nothing to do but think, that they enjoyed doing mundane external activities much more, and that many preferred to administer electric shocks to themselves instead of being left alone with their thoughts. (Mind The Hole)

“There is no doubt that people are sometimes absorbed by interesting ideas, exciting fantasies and pleasant daydreams,” and they do have an answer of sorts. Research has shown that minds are difficult to control, however, and it may be particularly hard to steer our thoughts in pleasant directions and keep them there.