Curiosity and Stimulation Seeking Across the Adult Life Span: Cross-Sectional and 6- to 8-Year Longitudinal Findings

Giambra (1977-1978 , 1979-1980) found that 2 scales of the Imaginal Processes Inventory measuring curiosity (i.e., information seeking) did not change across the adult life span, but 2 measuring stimulation seeking (i.e., boredom) for external stimulation need significantly decreased with age. In th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychology and aging 1992-03, Vol.7 (1), p.150-157
Main Authors: Giambra, Leonard M, Camp, Cameron J, Grodsky, Alicia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult. Elderly
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Aging - psychology
Arousal
Biological and medical sciences
Cross-Sectional Studies
Curiosity
Developmental psychology
Exploratory Behavior
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gender Identity
Human
Humans
Internal-External Control
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Middle Aged
Personality Development
Personality Inventory
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Sensation Seeking
Socialization
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Summary:Giambra (1977-1978 , 1979-1980) found that 2 scales of the Imaginal Processes Inventory measuring curiosity (i.e., information seeking) did not change across the adult life span, but 2 measuring stimulation seeking (i.e., boredom) for external stimulation need significantly decreased with age. In this study, these outcomes were replicated (1,356 men and 1,080 women 17 to 92 years old). In addition, a 6- to 8-year longitudinal repeat was obtained on 222 men and 124 women. Significant longitudinal declines were obtained for the stimulation-seeking measures. Furthermore, women showed an increase in impersonal-mechanical curiosity and a decline in interpersonal curiosity, though the amount of change was modest. Men were unchanged on both curiosity measures. Gender differences in longitudinal changes apparently reflected effects of socialization as well as tendencies toward displaying increased androgyny with advancing age.
ISSN:0882-7974
1939-1498
DOI:10.1037/0882-7974.7.1.150