Curiosity

You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.

What is Curiosity?

Curiosity is a crucial component of one's character. Our innate urge for discovery and exploration is a key element of our human desire for wisdom and knowledge. It’s what keeps us intrigued in the plotlines of movies and books. It’s what pushes us to try new activities or travel to different places. All individuals experience curiosity but differ in their willingness to experience it — behaviorally, intellectually, and emotionally.

Curiosity is associated with novelty-seeking. Novelty-seekers are more willing to endure risks — such as the physical risks of skydiving or the social risks of meeting new people — in order to gain the benefits of new experiences. Curiosity is also associated with being receptive to exploring new ideas, feelings, or values, which carry their own inherent risks and rewards.

Virtue: Wisdom and Knowledge. Strengths of wisdom and knowledge are cognitive strengths related to the acquisition and use of information. Strengths comprised in this virtue are creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, and perspective.

Individuals with this strength might be described as interested, inquiring, investigative, exploratory, probing, or adventurous.


The content on this page is written for adults — and the character card linked below is our Grades 9–12 version. Our curriculum is differentiated by grade level, from Pre-K–12. Request free lessons to get a closer look at how P2 teaches character strengths across grade levels.

Individuals with this strength are likely to think, feel, or behave in the following ways:

Curiosity

Asking lots of questions is a good thing. It helps us learn.

Curiosity
Exploration — whether physical, mental, or emotional — is how humanity grows and evolves.
Curiosity
I get excited when I travel to a new place, try an exotic food, or experience a new sensation.
Curiosity
When I go home from school or work, I like to discover new routes.
Curiosity
I’m always curious to see if my expectations match with the new reality that I have discovered.

Why does curiosity matter?

Individuals with the character strength of curiosity are more likely to ask questions and try new things. Curiosity then is a form of courage. Asking questions exposes the fact that we don’t know everything and trying a new activity means we might fail. But, it’s only through asking questions and exploring new opportunities that we learn and grow. However, curiosity can be detrimental to our health, if it’s associated with illegal substance use or other risky behavior.

On a group level, curiosity is crucial in making discoveries that bring important benefits. For example, exotic plants may yield new medicines and ancient artifacts may illuminate astonishing pieces of human history. Curiosity is what compels astronauts into outer space and submarines to the bottom of the ocean. It is hardwired into the human genome and a defining element of human success.

Quotes on Curiosity

“There is always a place I can take someone’s curiosity. That’s my challenge as an educator. No one is dumb who is curious. The people who don’t ask questions remain clueless throughout their lives.”

- Neil deGrasse Tyson 

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious...and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

- Walt Disney

“Curiosity is the one thing invincible in nature.”

- Freya Stark

“Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.”

- Marie Curie

Explore more character strengths

You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.

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Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence

You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.

You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.

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Bravery

You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.

You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.

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Creativity

You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.

You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.

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Curiosity

You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.

You approach life with excitement and energy. You energize people around you.

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Enthusiasm

You approach life with excitement and energy. You energize people around you.

You believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.

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Fairness

You believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.

You let go of anger toward those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.

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Forgiveness

You let go of anger toward those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.

You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

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Gratitude

You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.

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Humility

You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.

You like to laugh and bring smiles to other people.

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Humor

You like to laugh and bring smiles to other people.

Your choices reflect your values even when the choice is difficult. You are honest, keep your promises, and present yourself genuinely.

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Integrity

Your choices reflect your values even when the choice is difficult. You are honest, keep your promises, and present yourself genuinely.

You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.

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Kindness

You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.

You value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best.

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Leadership

You value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best.

You value close relationships with others and being close to people.

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Love

You value close relationships with others and being close to people.

You master new skills and topics on your own or in school.

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Love of Learning

You master new skills and topics on your own or in school.

You like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.

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Open-Mindedness

You like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.

You expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.

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Optimism

You expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.

You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.

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Perseverance

You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.

You appreciate that people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.

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Perspective

You appreciate that people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.

You plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.

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Prudence

You plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.

You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.

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Purpose

You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.

You have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.

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Self-Control

You have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.

You are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.

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Social Intelligence

You are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.

You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.

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Teamwork

You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.

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P2 for Families gives parents simple, no-prep ways to talk about character strengths with their kids.