Fidgeting is the act of moving about restlessly in a way that is not (socially recognized as) essential to ongoing tasks or events.[1][2] Fidgeting may involve playing with one's fingers,[3] hair, or personal objects (e.g. glasses, pens or items of clothing). In this sense, it may be considered twiddling or fiddling. Fidgeting is commonly used as a label for unexplained or subconscious activities and postural movements that people perform while seated or standing idle.
A common act of fidgeting is to bounce one's leg repeatedly. Rings are another common focus of fidgeting; variations include ring spinning, twirling or rolling along a table. Classrooms are sites of fidgeting, and traditionally teachers and students have viewed fidgeting as a sign of diminished attention.[4][5] Toys have been invented to help with fidgeting. These fidget toys include fidget spinners.
- ^ Mehrabian, Albert; Friedman, Shan L (1986-06-01). "An analysis of fidgeting and associated individual differences". Journal of Personality. 54 (2): 406–429. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.1986.tb00402.x. ISSN 1467-6494.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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- ^ Risko, Evan F.; Anderson, Nicola; Sarwal, Amara; Engelhardt, Megan; Kingstone, Alan (2012-03-01). "Everyday Attention: Variation in Mind Wandering and Memory in a Lecture". Applied Cognitive Psychology. 26 (2): 234–242. doi:10.1002/acp.1814. ISSN 1099-0720.
- ^ Ribot, Théodule (1890). The psychology of attention. Chicago, IL: Open Court. ISBN 9780548114025. OCLC 707693480.