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The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II: Development, Factor Structure, and Psychometrics
Todd B Kashdan1, Matthew W Gallagher, Paul J Silvia
1George Mason University.
Journal of Research in Personality
|February 18, 2010
Summary
Researchers refined trait curiosity measurement using the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II (CEI-II). The 10-item scale reliably assesses the motivation to seek knowledge and embrace novelty, enhancing understanding of curiosity.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Personality Science
Background:
- Curiosity is crucial for motivation, learning, and well-being.
- Existing measures of trait curiosity require refinement for accurate assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an improved measure of trait curiosity.
- To refine the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI) into a more robust scale.
Main Methods:
- Administered a preliminary 36-item pool to 311 undergraduates, alongside measures of emotion, personality, and well-being.
- Conducted factor analyses to identify the underlying structure of curiosity.
- Cross-validated the factor structure in two additional samples (n=150, n=119) and assessed construct validity.
- Applied item response theory (IRT) to a combined sample (n=578) to evaluate psychometric properties.
Main Results:
- Factor analysis revealed a two-factor model: 'Stretching' (motivation to seek knowledge/experiences) and 'Embracing' (willingness to embrace novelty/uncertainty).
- The refined 10-item Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II (CEI-II) demonstrated strong construct validity, correlating positively with personal growth, openness, autonomy, and well-being indicators.
- IRT analysis indicated that CEI-II items possess good discrimination and a suitable range of difficulty, reliably measuring the mid-range of the curiosity trait.
Conclusions:
- The 10-item CEI-II is a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring trait curiosity.
- The CEI-II effectively captures two key facets of curiosity: the drive for knowledge and the embrace of the unknown.
- This refined measure offers a reliable tool for researchers investigating curiosity's role in various psychological domains.
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