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Abstract Most prior research characterizes information-seeking behaviors as serving utilitarian purposes, such as whether the obtained information can help solve practical problems. However, information-seeking behaviors are sensitive to different contexts (i.e., threat vs. curiosity), despite having equivalent utility. Furthermore, these search behaviors can be modulated by individuals' life history and personality traits. Yet the emphasis on utilitarian utility has precluded the development of a unified model, which explains when and how individuals actively seek information. To account for this variability and flexibility, we propose a unified information-seeking framework that examines information-seeking through the lens of motivation. This unified model accounts for integration across individuals' internal goal states and the salient features of the environment to influence information-seeking behavior. We propose that information-seeking is determined by motivation for information, invigorated either by instrumental utility or hedonic utility, wherein one's personal or environmental context moderates this relationship. Furthermore, we speculate that the final common denominator in guiding information-seeking is the engagement of different neuromodulatory circuits centered on dopaminergic and noradrenergic tone. Our framework provides a unified framework for information-seeking behaviors and generates several testable predictions for future studies.
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Curiosity in children across ages and contexts
Curiosity is a universal characteristic of childhood that can motivate and direct attention during information-seeking to support knowledge development. Understanding the development of curiosity could inform practical applications to support children’s curiosity and learning across contexts, such as fostering curiosity-supportive environments at home and in schools. In this Review, we focus on the state component of curiosity, defined as information-seeking behaviour that is internally motivated in response to a specific question or gap in knowledge. We synthesize research on children’s curiosity, considering the distinction between internal and external curiosity and variation in curiosity across ages and contexts. On the basis of this research, we suggest several areas for future research.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2145478
- PAR ID:
- 10570272
- Publisher / Repository:
- Springer Nature
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Nature Reviews Psychology
- Volume:
- 3
- Issue:
- 9
- ISSN:
- 2731-0574
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 622 to 635
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-024-00346-5
