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Animated taco experiment: A new study on curiosity
27.10.2023 00:30
Updated: 13.05.2024 21:22
A new study by Duke neuroscientists shows that curiosity can make people more patient for answers while making them even more eager to find out.
This might help teachers and students because curiosity can keep us engaged without needing immediate answers.
The study also explains why fans of shows like "The Bear" on Hulu avoid spoilers even though they're eager to know what happens next.
How it was tested
The research, led by Abby Hsiung, discovered that when people are curious, they are willing to wait for answers.
The study involved short videos, like cooking or drawing clips, where people guessed what would happen next.
Curious folks avoided the "spoiler" button and kept watching to find out. The journey became more valuable than the instant answer for them.
Curiosity was highest when the outcome was uncertain or when viewers were narrowing down the possibilities.
It also made people feel joyful, explaining why they didn't skip to the end.
Why it's important
This study suggests that stoking curiosity could help in education and improve learning by enhancing motivation and persistence.
Understanding what makes us curious can be helpful for promoting learning.
