How to Develop Curiosity in Yourself and Why You Should Do It
People feel curious because learning new things makes their bodies feel good. When someone wants to find answers, the brain releases dopamine. This chemical creates a feeling of pleasure, so the brain encourages behaviors that cause its release. However, this can also have a negative side.
The brain treats all new information as valuable, no matter how good or bad it is. For example, scrolling through social media gives us dopamine, but spending hours on it can cause anxiety and sadness. To really satisfy curiosity, it’s better to read books, watch interesting movies, or travel.
Curiosity has two main types:
Perceptual curiosity is when we prefer to see or try new things instead of familiar ones. This desire is not only in humans but also in animals. For instance, crows explore their surroundings, which helps them make simple tools and find food in small openings.
Epistemic curiosity is the hunger to learn new ideas and fill gaps in our knowledge. It is unique to humans. Throughout history, this curiosity has helped humans explore new places and develop technology. From simple hand tools to smartphones, this drive has changed our world, says anthropology professor Agustin Fuentes.
To see how these types differ, think of an example: someone wants to lose weight. Perceptual curiosity might make them click repeatedly on ads promising quick results without dieting or exercise. But epistemic curiosity would drive them to learn how calories work, how stress affects weight, and what speeds up or slows down metabolism.
Curiosity also helps in careers. Curious people like to learn and do well in school. They get more involved at work than those who are not curious. When someone is interested in their tasks, they find solutions faster and feel less tired.
Curiosity also helps with talking to others. Studies show that someone who shows real interest makes a better conversation partner. Talking to people outside your usual circle helps you see that everyone has their own life story and different views.
Being curious can also make you happier. Curious people tend to feel more positive, worry less, and be more satisfied with life.
If you feel bored and uninterested, try taking a break. Go for a walk, take a nap, or daydream. Your brain uses a lot of energy when it focuses hard. Once tasks are done, it switches to rest mode. During this time, it processes memories and thinks about what you’ve learned. Sometimes, creative ideas pop up. In fact, a survey found that 72% of people had good ideas while in the shower.
It’s easy to find answers online, but sometimes you miss unexpected surprises. Ian Leslie, the author of the book Curiosity: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends on It, recommends going to a bookstore. It can lead you to interesting things unrelated to your usual searches.