Effects Of Boredom On Novel Lexicon Learning And Its Neural Basis

Boredom is common among university students.It has become one of the most intense emotions in study,which has a negative impact on academic performance.In the context of foreign language learning(FLL),the few studies on boredom by behavioral observation have found that boredom is caused by environmental meaninglessness and individual lack of motivation.However,no research has explored whether state boredom and trait boredom have similar or different effects on novel lexicon learning.There are obvious differences between state boredom and trait boredom in terms of concept,and there is no consensus on the results of the relationship between the two.And it is not clear whether the neural mechanism of the two types of boredom is related or separated,and the neural basis of boredom affecting novel lexicon learning has not been explored.The effects of state boredom and trait boredom on novel lexicon learning and their neural basis can be explored by combining behavioral experiments with functional magnetic resonance imaging(f MRI).The study using f MRI and psychological experiments can objectively demonstrate the relationship between language phenomena and the brain,and explain the neural basis,which provides data support and verification for speculative linguistic theories.Therefore,this study aims to investigate the effects of boredom on novel lexicon learning and its neural basis,and to explore whether there is a discernible neural mechanism between state boredom and trait boredom.In the framework of the control-value theory(CVT),non-language major university students were tested by questionnaires and “learning-test/recognition” task.And forgetting rate was regarded as the indicator of novel lexicon learning.Combining behavioral results with f MRI data was to explore the neural basis of boredom affecting on novel lexicon learning.This paper includes three studies:Study I used Boredom Proneness Scale(BPS),the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale(MSBS)and learning tasks to explore whether state boredom and trait boredom had a significant impact on novel lexicon learning.The results showed that state boredom and trait boredom had different effects on novel lexicon learning.Only state boredom had significantly negative effects on novel lexicon learning,while not trait boredom,indicating that inattention in the state of boredom led to poor learning effect.Study II used f MRI to explore the neural mechanism characterizing state boredom and trait boredom,both grey matter volume(GMV)using voxel-based morphometry(VBM)in the level of structure(s MRI)and Re Ho,ALFF in the level of function(rsf MRI)included.The results showed that the brain features of state boredom and trait boredom in terms of structure and function were relatively independent.Structurally,trait boredom was associated with bilateral posterior insula involved in somatosensory systems,while state boredom was related to bilateral superior frontal gyrus characterizing attentional control patterns.Functionally,trait boredom mainly involved the right precentral gyrus of motor system.The brain regions associated with state boredom mainly involved the left angular gyrus of the default network and the left precentral gyrus.These results suggested that state boredom and trait boredom dominated cognitive and emotional dimensions of boredom respectively.Furtherly,in Study III,according to the results of Study I and Study II,GMV of the left superior frontal gyrus and the functional connection(FC)between the left superior frontal gyrus and the left precentral gyrus was considered to be a mediator respectively.Mediating effect test showed that the left superior frontal gyrus partially mediated the effects of state boredom on novel lexicon learning in both of structure and function.This suggested that the function of attentional control related to the left superior frontal gyrus may play an important mediating role in the effect of state boredom on novel lexicon learning.The function of this brain region inhibited more cognitive resources for working memory and other cognitive processing in the state of boredom.Obviously,the left superior frontal gyrus played an important executive control role in this process.From the perspective of s MRI and rs-f MRI,this study reveals the neural mechanisms of state and trait boredom and the neural basis of state boredom affecting novel lexicon learning.On the one hand,it provides a theoretical basis for the cultivation of foreign language talents and an evaluation method based on brain nerves.On the other hand,it offers data reference for coping with and regulating state and trait boredom and their influence.In conclusion,this study has important theoretical and practical significance for understanding the essential reasons of boredom affecting novel lexicon learning and exploring the breadth and depth of boredom.