But this picture of curiosity is incomplete. Consider the appeal of murder-mystery movies, where viewers enjoy the suspense rather than rushing to the ending. This reflects a different flavor of curiosity — one enjoys the journey of discovery rather than demanding quick answers. A study published in National Academy of Sciences explains that while curiosity can drive an urgent desire for answers, it can also set people up for moments of discovery.
In the study, more than 2,000 people watched short videos of animated (动画) lines gradually forming shapes online. While watching each video, the participants reported how curious they were about what the drawing would become, how confident they felt about their prediction and how joyful or frustrated they felt with their curiosity changing as a video progressed. They were also given the choice to either keep watching the videos slowly unfold or skip to the end. Interestingly, greater curiosity motivated people to slow down and continue watching to experience the winding path to resolution, greatly avoiding early answers.
The findings differ from the previous studies because watching events unfold over time may be more engaging than simply wanting a missing answer. Further, curiosity may be more enduring (耐久的) when people assume that answers are on the way. When opportunities to seek information are abundant, curiosity may favor its patient accumulation. However, when waiting appears unproductive, individuals turn to immediate resolutions.
The finding underlines the complexity of curiosity, opening avenues for new explorations. Learning new things can be tough, but harnessing curiosity can help us enjoy the process of learning and delight in overcoming challenges, much like solving a detective story.
