Positive and Negative Curiosity Experiences Among Tertiary Students

Abstract

Curiosity is a motivation construct that is important at all levels of education. This study investigated the curiosity experiences of tertiary students. Individual interviews were carried out with 20 tertiary students. Participants were asked to describe experiences of wanting-to-learn (positive curiosity) or not-wanting-to-learn (negative curiosity) that they had recently experienced in regular classes. Participants reported they had recently experienced both forms of curiosity, which correlated with high and low levels of cognitive learning behaviours. Antecedent factors included personal interest, confidence, expectancies, value, and teacher influences.