Curiosity across the adult lifespan: Age-related differences in state and trait curiosity.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Cross-sectional observational lifespan study
PubMed 40333682 · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0320600
What was done
Researchers examined the relationship between age and two forms of curiosity—trait curiosity and state curiosity (measured via a trivia rating task)—across the adult lifespan. The investigation included a pilot sample (N = 193) and a preregistered main sample (N = 1,218), controlling for demographic variables.
What was found
Trait curiosity showed a negative relationship with age, whereas state curiosity showed a positive relationship with age after controlling for demographics. The abstract reports no numerical effect sizes, test statistics, or p-values.
Why it matters
This study differentiates trait from state curiosity, suggesting that situational engagement with new information may increase with age even if baseline self-reported trait curiosity declines.
Limits
The abstract provides no numerical estimates or confidence intervals. The cross-sectional design cannot establish true intra-individual trajectory or exclude cohort effects, and state curiosity was measured exclusively using trivia questions.