Do you like what you see?

The urge to explore and seek novelty helps us understand our constantly changing environment, which may be why our brains evolved to release dopamine and other feel-good chemicals when we encounter new things.

Studies link curiosity with positive emotions and psychological well-being.

Research reveals that curiosity leads to greater learning, engagement, and performance at school as well as at work.

When we are curious about others and talk to people outside our usual social circle, we become better able to understand those with lives and worldviews different than our own.

In one study, after people asked a stranger personal questions and answered the stranger’s own questions, the stranger rated curious people as more attractive and felt closer to them than less curious people.

Research has shown that when doctors are genuinely curious about their patients’ perspectives, both doctors and patients report less anger and frustration and make better decisions, ultimately increasing the effectiveness of their treatment.