Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2025
08:28
Novel Object Exploration as a Potential Assay for Higher Order Repetitive Behaviors in Mice
Published on: August 20, 2016
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Curiosity is more than novelty seeking.
Yana Litovsky1, Samantha Horn2, Christopher Y Olivola3,4
1Department of Banking and Finance, University of Innsbruck/Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria yana.litovsky@uibk.ac.athttps://www.yanalitovsky.com/.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|May 21, 2024
Summary
The novelty-seeking model (NSM) fails to unify creativity and curiosity, lacking explanations for curiosity
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- The novelty-seeking model (NSM) has been proposed as a framework for understanding creativity and curiosity.
- However, its explanatory power for these complex cognitive phenomena is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the novelty-seeking model (NSM) as a unifying framework for creativity and curiosity.
- To assess the validity of arguments linking curiosity and creativity through the NSM.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of the novelty-seeking model (NSM).
- Review of existing literature on curiosity and creativity.
- Evaluation of theoretical arguments supporting a curiosity-creativity link within the NSM framework.
Main Results:
- The NSM does not adequately explain key aspects and manifestations of curiosity.
- Arguments supporting a shared core process or superficial associations between curiosity and creativity within the NSM are unconvincing.
- The NSM fails to generate useful predictive insights into the relationship between curiosity and creativity.
Conclusions:
- The novelty-seeking model (NSM) is an inadequate framework for understanding the relationship between creativity and curiosity.
- Further theoretical development is needed to establish a robust link between these constructs.
- The current NSM lacks the explanatory and predictive power required for a comprehensive scientific understanding.
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