Open or opposed to unknowns: How do curious people think and feel about uncertainty?. (July 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Whitecross, William M.; Smithson, Michael
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 209(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-07
• Subjects: Curiosity -- Interest -- Deprivation -- Attitude towards uncertainty; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2023.112210
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Curiosity is a psychological response to uncertainty that facilitates learning and other benefits, but little is known about how highly curious people interpret and process uncertainty differently from their less curious counterparts. We investigated the relationship between curiosity (both interest- and deprivation-type) and a variety of attitudes towards uncertainty. Method: An adult sample from the United Kingdom ( N = 398) completed an online questionnaire measuring dispositional interest- and deprivation-type curiosity, positive attitudes towards uncertainty, intolerance of uncertainty, and tendencies to focus on potential positive or negative outcomes. Findings: A higher score on interest was associated with finding uncertainty more enjoyable and focusing on positive possibilities. A higher score on deprivation was associated with being more intolerant of uncertainty and focusing on negative possibilities. Conclusion: The connections between curiosity and attitudes towards uncertainty differ according to the type of curiosity experienced. Interest may reinforce learning by promoting a fascination with the unknown and a focus on positive discoveries. Deprivation may reinforce learning by promoting discomfort with the unknown and a focus on negative discoveries that one wishes to be reassured of or prepared for. Highlights: How curious people process uncertainty depends on the type of curiosity stimulated. Interest-curiosity is linked to a variety of positive uncertainty attitudes. Deprivation-curiosity is linked to a variety of negative uncertainty attitudes. Trait-interest is linked to enjoying unknowns and a positive-discovery focus. Trait-deprivation is linked to disliking unknowns and a negative-discovery focus.