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Curiosity SP Encyc2007
Curiosity SP Encyc2007
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Curiosity
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possibilities with little knowledge of which will occur, social bonds by promoting behaviors such as engage-
and (d) conflict—the presence of competing response ment, responsiveness, and flexibility to others’ varied
tendencies such as being motivated to approach or experiences and perspectives. These behaviors are
avoid the same activity. Each of these qualities can desirable in interpersonal transactions and the forma-
point to a gap in one’s preexisting knowledge and tive stages of relationship development. On average,
capabilities, or representation of the self, world, or people enjoy spending time and developing friend-
future. Strong feelings of curiosity can be expected ships with people who are interested in them and what
when individuals are aware of discrepancies between they say and do.
what is known and not known and when they find it Another value of curiosity is its role in motivating
desirable to make the unknown known. An individual’s and sustaining interest in important, but boring or
curiosity is not only affected by evaluations of how tedious, activities. If an activity induces curiosity, an
novel and challenging an activity is, but also by individual is likely to persist and the process is likely
personal abilities to cope and feel a sense of control. to be as enjoyable as (or even more so than) other goal-
These appraisals (of novelty and coping potential) related outcomes. If an activity does not induce curios-
have an inverted-U function on curiosity and ity but there is a good reason to continue (such as
exploratory behavior. For example, high levels of nov- having to take calculus to graduate high school), indi-
elty, complexity, uncertainty, and conflict can lead to viduals can transform activities by making them more
undesirable feelings of anxiety and confusion, whereas interesting (such as completing projects with someone
moderate levels appear to be ideal for creating and sus- else or with good music in the background or trying
taining curiosity and interest. to make a game out of it). Attempts to self-generate
Despite these general factors that affect whether a curiosity in mundane activities leads to sustained moti-
person will be curious, the specific information and vation and increased effort and performance.
experiences that interest one individual can be boring What makes an individual curious and interested is
or anxiety-provoking to another. That is, when you a large determinant of the career choices they make
begin to examine interests and judgments, individuals and, on a smaller scale, activities chosen when options
with the same tendency to be curious may be inter- and time are available. Individuals who are generally
ested in vastly different information, knowledge, and more curious tend to achieve and perform better in
direct sensory experiences. For example, one highly academics, work, and sports (even after accounting
curious person may be extremely interested in playing for how intelligent or athletic they are). They also
chess and solving complex, mathematical formulas adjust better to school and job-related changes and are
while another highly curious person may find puzzles generally more satisfied and have better relationships
to be boring and be primarily interested in gossip and with others in school, work, and other settings.
meeting new people. Among other psychological Curiosity is associated with a wide range of desir-
processes, the experience of curiosity in a given activ- able psychosocial outcomes. This includes greater
ity helps explain why individuals develop longstand- well-being, intelligence, creativity, critical thinking
ing interests in one thing and not another. and problem-solving skills, goal effort and progress,
preference for challenge in work and play, perceived
control, and less perceived stress, negative emotions,
Context and Importance and reliance on stereotypes and dogmatic thinking.
Curiosity is relevant to nearly all human activity rang- A few provocative studies have even shown that more
ing from leisure, creativity, decision making, and curious older adults live longer than their less curious
social relations to education, sports, work, and clinical peers even after accounting for the usual suspects such
therapy. By being fully engaging in varied and novel as age, gender, and physical health.
activities, a curious individual is guaranteed of stretch-
ing or expanding his or her knowledge, skills, and Todd B. Kashdan
competence. Upon investing time, effort, and energy in Michael F. Steger
activities that are intrinsically valued, curiosity facili- William E. Breen
tates personal growth and learning. In addition to these
personal resources, feelings of curiosity can build See also Intrinsic Motivation; Sensation Seeking
Curiosity———215