![]() Although these terms have been used somewhat interchangeably, this unfortunate tendency has obscured the fact that the essential qualities of curiosity connote a high degree of receptivity and willingness to engage with novel stimuli. More precise definitions and terms can aid this endeavor.Īs noted above, curiosity bears a resemblance to several other psychological constructs, all of which are concerned with the way people regulate and direct their attention in the presence of novel or valued environmental stimuli. Unfortunately, few scientists have connected these often isolated bodies of research. Other terms that are used interchangeably with curiosity include interest, novelty-seeking, and openness to experience, among others. In a similar vein, the concept of flow, being fully immersed in an activity that is challenging, enjoyable, and requires the full deployment of one’s skills ( Csiksentmihayli, 1990), has been described as an extreme variant of curiosity ( Fredrickson, 1998). For instance, intrinsic motivation is often defined in ways that are identical to curiosity: “Perhaps no single phenomenon reflects the positive potential of human nature as much as intrinsic motivation, the inherent tendency to seek out novelty and challenges, to extend and exercise one’s capacities, to explore, and to learn” ( Ryan & Deci, 2000, p. 347).ĭespite being interesting to researchers since psychology became a discipline ( Dewey, 1913 James, 1890), the study of curiosity has been plagued by inconsistent terminology, operational definitions, and measurement strategies. ![]() Sylvan Tomkins (1962), a seminal researcher of positive emotions, believed curiosity had benefits of profound evolutionary significance: “The importance of curiosity to thought and memory are so extensive that the absence…would jeopardize intellectual development no less than the destruction of brain tissue…there is no human competence which can be achieved in the absence of a sustaining interest” (p. ![]() Out of 24 fundamental strengths studied by psychologists, curiosity was the most commonly endorsed by 12,439 adults in the United States and 445 adults in Switzerland ( Peterson, Ruch, Beermann, Park, & Seligman, 2007). The findings thus far provide good evidence for the psychometric properties of the 10-item CEI-II.Ĭuriosity is a powerful facet of human motivation ( Berlyne, 1960, 1971 Izard, 1977) and one of the fundamental strengths and personality traits studied by psychologists ( Peterson & Seligman, 2004 Reiss, 2000). The item information functions and test information function were centered near zero, indicating that the scale assesses the mid-range of the latent curiosity trait most reliably. Applying item response theory (IRT) to these samples ( n = 578), we showed that the items have good discrimination and a desirable breadth of difficulty. This includes positive correlations with personal growth, openness to experience, autonomy, purpose in life, self-acceptance, psychological flexibility, positive affect, and positive social relations, among others. In two additional samples ( ns = 150 and 119), we cross-validated this factor structure and provided initial evidence for construct validity. Factor analyses indicated a two factor model-motivation to seek out knowledge and new experiences ( Stretching 5 items) and a willingness to embrace the novel, uncertain, and unpredictable nature of everyday life ( Embracing 5 items). ![]() A preliminary pool of 36 items was administered to 311 undergraduate students, who also completed measures of emotion, emotion regulation, personality, and well-being. Given curiosity’s fundamental role in motivation, learning, and well-being, we sought to refine the measurement of trait curiosity with an improved version of the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI Kashdan, Rose, & Fincham, 2004).
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