Curiosity Quiz

How curious are you, really?

Curiosity, the search for understanding, is about more than just learning new information for trivia night. When you direct it toward exploring yourself or others in a deeper way, it can become a force for connection and transformation in your life. The research is clear that curiosity has a range of benefits such as improving your well-being and relationships with everyone from loved ones to strangers. Curiosity is also a potent tool for us to bridge our social and political differences.

But how strong is your curiosity today? To find out—and discover ways you can strengthen it like a muscle—take this quiz curated by Scott Shigeoka, the author of SEEK: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World, with support from Meg Rice and the Greater Good Science Center team.

The quiz is largely based on the Five-Dimensional Curiosity Scale developed by Todd Kashdan and colleagues; as well as the Social Curiosity Scale developed by Brita Renner.

Please answer the questions below as honestly as possible; there are no right or wrong answers. The last questions are about you, and will be used to explore how curiosity relates to factors like age and gender. Individual responses to this quiz are anonymous and will not be shared.

When you're done, you'll get your score, learn more about the benefits of curiosity, and find resources for identifying and cultivating your own life goals.

Any responses submitted here will never be shared with any organization outside the Greater Good Science Center under any circumstances, ever. All responses are anonymized and only used in aggregate for evaluation purposes.

Take The Quiz

1. I find it fascinating to learn new information.
I find it fascinating to learn new information.
2. I have a number of biases and assumptions.
I have a number of biases and assumptions.
3. I enjoy learning about what's unfamiliar to me (e.g., people, places, subjects).
I enjoy learning about what's unfamiliar to me (e.g., people, places, subjects).
4. When talking with someone with strong feelings (e.g., excited or upset), I want to understand why.
When talking with someone with strong feelings (e.g., excited or upset), I want to understand why.
5. When I know someone's political affiliation, I know everything I need to know about them.
When I know someone's political affiliation, I know everything I need to know about them.
6. When I ask people questions, I usually know what their answers will be.
When I ask people questions, I usually know what their answers will be.
7. I'm interested in everyone, no matter who they are.
I'm interested in everyone, no matter who they are.
8. I like finding why people behave the way they do.
I like finding why people behave the way they do.
9. When someone holds a belief or opinion that I'm strongly opposed to, I'm interested in understanding why.
When someone holds a belief or opinion that I'm strongly opposed to, I'm interested in understanding why.
10. I create the space to reflect on my emotions, stories, and relationships.
I create the space to reflect on my emotions, stories, and relationships.
11. I would prefer to avoid conflict with others as much as possible.
I would prefer to avoid conflict with others as much as possible.
12. I view challenging situations as an opportunity to grow.
I view challenging situations as an opportunity to grow.
13. I like to do things that are scary or uncomfortable.
I like to do things that are scary or uncomfortable.
14. I often question what my purpose in life is.
I often question what my purpose in life is.
15. What is your age?
What is your age?
16. Please select your ethnic background (if you identify with more than one ethnicity, select the one you identify with the most, or select multiethnic).
Please select your ethnic background (if you identify with more than one ethnicity, select the one you identify with the most, or select multiethnic).
17. In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:
In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:
18. What describes your highest level of education?
What describes your highest level of education?
19. Which best describes the neighborhood in which you live?
Which best describes the neighborhood in which you live?
20. Please provide your best estimate of your annual household income in USD (before taxes).
Please provide your best estimate of your annual household income in USD (before taxes).
21. How would you describe your political views?
How would you describe your political views?

Optional: What is your email? Enter your email below to sign up for GGSC fellow and author Scott Shigeoka’s curiosity newsletter:

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Adapted from:

Kashdan, T. B., Stiksma, M. C., Disabato, D. J., McKnight, P. E., Bekier, J., Kaji, J., & Lazarus, R. (2018). The five-dimensional curiosity scale: Capturing the bandwidth of curiosity and identifying four unique subgroups of curious people. Journal of Research in Personality, 73, 130–149.

Renner, B. (2006). Curiosity about people: the development of a social curiosity measure in adults. Journal of Personality Assessment, 87(3), 305–316.

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