Open or opposed to unknowns: How do curious people think and feel about uncertainty?

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.

Automated summary

Curiosity can promote learning and other benefits, but how highly curious people interpret and process uncertainty differently from their less curious counterparts is not well understood. We found that interest-type curiosity was associated with finding uncertainty enjoyable and focusing on positive possibilities, while deprivation-type curiosity was associated with lower tolerance for uncertainty and focusing on negative possibilities.