"So curiosity may put the brain in a state that allows it to learn and retain any kind of information . . . .” Matthias Gruber, PhD
Maintaining a state of curiosity arousal to keep the tension in life vibrant
According to a new study, curiosity enhances learning, memory and motivation.
Curiosity is a quality related to inquisitive exploring thinking.
There is an optimal-arousal theory of curiosity that posits that the brain aims to maintain an optimal level of arousal. It is likely this state of arousal that helps improve learning and memory.
A challenge in life is to maintain a sufficient periods of time in a state of curiosity arousal to keep the tension in life vibrant.
The study was performed by Matthias Gruber, PhD, and colleagues from the Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis. The study found that participants showed improved memory for information that they were curious about.
The researchers also found that when people studied interesting information, they created these curious states of being, that when we showed unrelated, noninteresting information, they remembered it better when they were in a highly curious state of mind.
"So curiosity may put the brain in a state that allows it to learn and retain any kind of information, like a vortex that sucks in what you are motivated to learn and also everything around it", says Dr. Gruber.
The study was publish in Neuron. See States of Curiosity Modulate Hippocampus-Dependent Learning via the Dopaminergic Circuit
This study highlights the importance of stimulating curiosity to create more effective learning experiences and memory retention.
In a nutshell, we are better at learning information that we are curious about.
Curiosity also seems to add to the wonder and mystery of life and living, and can be a major driving lifestyle force.
Stay curious!
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