What might some participants have done while bored that could influence their behavior in the study?

• A. Doodled
• B. Daydreamed
• C. Engaged in distraction
• D. Listened passively

Answer: (A)

Doodling can serve as a form of creative expression that helps to manage monotony and maintain focus during tasks perceived as dull or tedious. In the context of the study discussing the effects of doodling, this activity may aid participants in processing information while their minds might otherwise wander. Engaging in doodling can facilitate cognitive engagement, as it occupies a part of their brain without demanding intense mental resources, thereby allowing the participants to concentrate better on the primary task at hand.

The other choices, while potentially relevant behaviors during boredom, do not specifically connect to the focus of the study as directly as doodling. Daydreaming and engaging in distractions could lead to a decrease in the ability to concentrate or retain information, possibly skewing the results regarding task performance. Listening passively does not actively participate in managing attention or mental engagement and thus wouldn’t have the same influence on cognitive processing during the study.