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Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development pp 453–454Cite as

Curiosity

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Synonyms

Cognitive curiosity; Collative motivation; Inquisitiveness; Novelty seeking; Sensory curiosity

Definition

Curiosity is the desire for new information and sensory experience that motivates exploratory behavior [4]. External stimuli with novel, complex, uncertain, or conflicting properties (i.e., collative stimuli) create internal states of arousal that motivate exploratory behaviors to reduce the state of arousal [1]. Through the process of being curious and exploring the environment, then, information and experiences are acquired and learning ensues.

Description

Curiosity is the fuel of learning, development, and adaptation throughout the lifespan [4]. Even our distant ancestors, motivated to satisfy their curiosity, explored the uncertain, novel properties of objects in their respective environments to learn, adapt, and thereby survive. More than ever, being curious and exploratory are the cornerstones of modern societies, as it serves to induce not only scientific, but also...

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References

  1. Berlyne, D. E. (1960). Conflict, arousal, and curiosity. New York: McGraw-Hill.

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  2. Dewey, J. (1910). How we think. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath.

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  3. Malone, T. W. (1981). Toward a theory of intrinsically motivating instruction. Cognitive Science, 4, 333–369.

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  4. Reio, T. G. Jr., Petrosko, J. M., Wiswell, A. K., & Thongsukmag, J. (2006). The measurement and conceptualization of curiosity. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 167, 117–135.

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  5. Zuckerman, M. (1994). Behavioral expressions and biosocial bases of sensation seeking. New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Leadership and Policy Studies, College of Education, Florida International University, ZEB 358A, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Thomas G. Reio Jr.

Authors
  1. Thomas G. Reio Jr.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas G. Reio Jr. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, 230 South 500 East, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84102, USA

    Sam Goldstein Ph.D.

  2. Department of Psychology MS 2C6, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    Jack A. Naglieri Ph.D. (Professor of Psychology) (Professor of Psychology)

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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Reio, T.G. (2011). Curiosity. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_759

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_759

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-77579-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-79061-9

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science

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