How Curiosity Enhances Performance
Mechanisms of Physiological Engagement, Challenge and Threat Appraisal, and Novelty Deprivation
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21704409 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Łukasz D Kaczmarek (0000-0001-5565-8334, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, corresponding author), Todd B Kashdan (0000-0001-6438-0485, George Mason University), Jolanta Enko (0000-0002-1982-2798, Uniwersytet SWPS) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Publication date | 2024-10-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Happiness Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1389-4978 • E-ISSN: 1573-7780 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10902-024-00816-w |
| OpenAlex | W4402605530 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 72 |
Research has shown that curiosity plays a crucial role in human performance and well-being. Based on multi-dimensional models of curiosity, we examined potential underlying mechanisms for this relationship. Extending prior research, we expected state and trait variants of curiosity to predict more challenge and less threat appraisals for novel tasks (i.e., joyous exploration dimension), stronger dissatisfaction when denied opportunities to do something interesting (i.e., deprivation sensitivity dimension), and persist longer under stress states (i.e., stress tolerance). We asked 123 participants to prepare and deliver a speech titled "Why are you a good friend?" After preparation, participants were informed that they were randomly selected not to perform the task. Throughout the experiment, we recorded heart rate reactivity as a physiological indicator of task engagement. We found that individuals curious about the upcoming task felt more challenged, less threatened, and presented longer physiological engagement than less curious individuals. Curious individuals expressed more disappointment about the missed opportunity to deliver the speech. In summary, this study revealed theoretically derived mechanisms that partially account for associations between curiosity and positive life outcomes while also indicating adverse effects
Cognitive psychology · Curiosity · Developmental psychology · Disappointment · Novelty · Trait · Emotional Intelligence and Performance · Personality Traits and Psychology · Psychological and Educational Research Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology
The effects of stress and stress hormones on human cognition
Moving Personality Beyond the Person-Situation Debate
Drug Addiction and Its Underlying Neurobiological Basis
Plasma Hsp90 levels in patients with systemic sclerosis and relation to lung and skin involvement
The Psychology and Neuroscience of Curiosity
The Undoing Effect of Positive Emotions
Curiosity and pathways to well-being and meaning in life
The neuromodulator of exploration
Effects of occupational stress management intervention programs
Associations among the Big Five, emotional responses, and coping with acute stress
Positive Emotions Speed Recovery from the Cardiovascular Sequelae of Negative Emotions
Curiosity and the pleasures of learning
Greater Cardiovascular Responses to Laboratory Mental Stress Are Associated With Poor Subsequent Cardiovascular Risk Status
A Primer on Maximum Likelihood Algorithms Available for Use With Missing Data
The Hungry Mind
The Biopsychosocial Model of Arousal Regulation
Statistical power analyses using G*Power 3.1
A Test of Missing Completely at Random for Multivariate Data with Missing Values
Gratitude Texting Touches the Heart
Curiosity did not kill the cat
Within‐person variability in curiosity during daily life and associations with well‐being
How Are Curious People Viewed and How Do They Behave in Social Situations? From the Perspectives of Self, Friends, Parents, and Unacquainted Observers
When you see it coming
The psychology of curiosity
The Big Five Personality Traits and the Life Course
Openness to Experience and stress regulation
On Traits and Values
Personality trait structure as a human universal
How attributional ambiguity shapes physiological and emotional responses to social rejection and acceptance
Comparative fit indexes in structural models
Intellect
Relations between personality and coping
An Introduction to the Five-Factor Model and Its Applications
Resilient Individuals Use Positive Emotions to Bounce Back From Negative Emotional Experiences
A power primer
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |