From Curiosity to Interest: How Do They Differ and How Do They Relate?

• In Event: 66.051 - Curiosity and Interest: Clarifying the Relationship

Abstract

Curiosity and interest are frequently considered to be similar constructs and used interchangeably. While the underlying mechanisms of interest and curiosity are quite different from each other, they have an intricate interconnection that needs to be clarified. The aim of this panel presentation is to elucidate conceptual distinctions between curiosity and situational interest and the relationship between curiosity and individual interest. Four key features distinguish curiosity from situational interest: (1) the underlying emotional valence, (2) the diversity of source, (3) occurrence cycle, and (4) the relationship with individual interest. Specifically, situational interest refers to an overall positive affect toward a specific stimulus, whereas curiosity itself is an aversive state of knowledge deprivation, although the satisfaction of curiosity results in positive affect (Berlyne, 1960; Kim, Shin, Lee, & Ha, in preparation; Renninger & Hidi, 2016). Second, a wide range of sources such as social interaction, competence, and autonomy will promote situational interest, while appeasement of curiosity requires the specific information that will successfully resolve information gap (Alexander & Grossnickle, 2016; Lowenstein, 1994; Grossnickle, 2016). Third, curiosity is a temporary psychological state caused by an information gap, and there is a satiation point for curiosity, but not for situational interest. Curiosity diminishes rapidly once it is fully satisfied, while interest begets interest. Lastly, although the distinction between situational and individual interest is relatively clear, the relationship between them is rather vague. Situational interest is likely to develop into individual interest; however, people with positive affect toward specific situation do not always develop individual interest. In contrast, the relationship between curiosity and individual interest is reciprocal. The transient resolution of curiosity not only engenders the positive affect of satisfaction and but also results in information gain that provides a foundation for the development of relatively longer term individual interest (Iran- Nejad, 1987; Kim, 1999). The iterative cycles of curiosity resolution would induce exploration for more novel information. Reciprocally, individual interest, with its increased knowledge and heightened attention to the topic, may lead to the more frequent detection of information gaps and thus foster curiosity.

Authors

• Dajung Diane Shin, Korea University

• Sung-Il Kim, Korea University