Does curiosity adaptively vary with ecological contexts? A correlational study with socioeconomic status.

Abstract

Recent advances in behavioral ecology suggest that curiosity, as an adaptive behavioral trait, should display some degree of plasticity across ecologies. In particular, it should be modulated according to the availability of resources in the local environment: It should increase in resource-rich environments where the inherent risks of exploration are mitigated and the long-term benefits of information gains are enhanced. In line with this prediction, this study examines the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and curiosity. Analyzing data from 962 U.S. participants using the five-dimensional curiosity scale, our findings reveal a significant positive correlation between current SES (but not childhood SES) and levels of curiosity across all five dimensions-joyous exploration, deprivation sensitivity, stress tolerance, social curiosity, and thrill-seeking. Although these results do not prove causality, they are consistent with our hypothesis: Curiosity dynamically responds to the individual's ecological context. Public Significance StatementHigher socioeconomic status is associated with increased curiosity, as evidenced across five distinct dimensions, suggesting flexibility in curiosity levels with resource availability. This correlation persists even after controlling for age and gender. Such findings are in line with studies on animal behavior, where richer environments lead to more exploratory behaviors.