TY - JOUR
T1 - The differences and similarities between curiosity and interest
T2 - Meta-analysis and network analyses
AU - Tang, Xin
AU - Renninger, K. Ann
AU - Hidi, Suzanne E.
AU - Murayama, Kou
AU - Lavonen, Jari
AU - Salmela-Aro, Katariina
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors
PY - 2022/8
Y1 - 2022/8
N2 - Three studies on the relationship between curiosity and interest are reported. The first study was a meta-analysis that examined the Pearson correlations between scales assessing curiosity and interest. Based on 24 studies (31 effect sizes), we found that the curiosity scales correlated with the interest scales at a moderate level (r = 0.53), but they had extremely high heterogeneity. The second and third studies applied network analyses (i.e., co-occurrence analysis and correlation-based analysis) to data that was collected using experience sampling method. Across the studies, we found that while the feelings of curiosity reflected feelings of inquisitiveness, the feelings of interest were aligned with positive affect such as enjoyment and happiness. Importantly, an asymmetrical pattern also was found in curiosity-interest co-occurrences: when feelings of curiosity occurred, the co-occurrence of feelings of interest was highly likely, but not so vice versa. Overall, our findings suggest that feelings of curiosity are special cases of feelings of interest that pertain to knowledge acquisition. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
AB - Three studies on the relationship between curiosity and interest are reported. The first study was a meta-analysis that examined the Pearson correlations between scales assessing curiosity and interest. Based on 24 studies (31 effect sizes), we found that the curiosity scales correlated with the interest scales at a moderate level (r = 0.53), but they had extremely high heterogeneity. The second and third studies applied network analyses (i.e., co-occurrence analysis and correlation-based analysis) to data that was collected using experience sampling method. Across the studies, we found that while the feelings of curiosity reflected feelings of inquisitiveness, the feelings of interest were aligned with positive affect such as enjoyment and happiness. Importantly, an asymmetrical pattern also was found in curiosity-interest co-occurrences: when feelings of curiosity occurred, the co-occurrence of feelings of interest was highly likely, but not so vice versa. Overall, our findings suggest that feelings of curiosity are special cases of feelings of interest that pertain to knowledge acquisition. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
KW - Curiosity
KW - Epistemic emotion
KW - Experience sampling method
KW - Interest
KW - Network analysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85131244855&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.learninstruc.2022.101628
DO - 10.1016/j.learninstruc.2022.101628
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85131244855
SN - 0959-4752
VL - 80
JO - Learning and Instruction
JF - Learning and Instruction
M1 - 101628
ER -