Fostering Curiosity/Curiosity Arises from Information Gaps
Information gaps—moments when we realize there is something we don’t know but want to—are powerful triggers for curiosity.[1] They activate our desire to resolve uncertainty, complete mental patterns, or make sense of the world. Here are various ways information gaps elicit curiosity:
1. Violation of Expectations
When new information contradicts what we thought we knew, it creates a cognitive conflict or surprise. This discrepancy between expectation and reality sparks curiosity as we try to reconcile the inconsistency.
Example: A headline reads, “Bananas are berries, but strawberries are not.” This contradiction with common assumptions invites a desire to understand why.
2. Missing Pieces in a Pattern
Humans are pattern seekers. When part of a pattern is missing—whether in a story, puzzle, or concept—we feel compelled to fill it in.
Example: A riddle or mystery with part of the answer withheld pulls us in because we want to see the full picture.
3. Cliffhangers and Suspense
Intentional delays in revealing key information—especially in narratives—create a gap between what we know and what we want to know. This emotional tension sustains curiosity.
Example: A TV show ends with a dramatic event but doesn't explain the outcome until the next episode.
4. Perceived Attainability
When an answer seems just within reach—difficult but not impossible—curiosity is at its peak. If the gap feels too large or too small, the motivation to fill it drops.
Example: A challenging trivia question you feel like you almost know provokes more curiosity than one that’s far beyond your knowledge.
5. Incomplete Explanations
Partial knowledge—when we’re given some details but not all—generates a sense of cognitive itch. We feel compelled to complete the idea.
Example: Learning that Einstein proposed a "cosmological constant" without knowing why or what it means invites deeper inquiry.
6. Question Framing
Well-framed questions naturally create gaps. The question itself makes the unknown explicit and invites exploration.
Example: Asking “What is the most visited place on Earth?” instantly makes you aware of a gap in your knowledge, sparking the drive to close it. Asking what the second most visited place on earth is may provoke greater curiosity.
7. Social or Emotional Stakes
Information gaps with social, emotional, or practical relevance generate stronger curiosity, as the knowledge could impact our well-being, relationships, or status.
Example: Learning that someone you know has a secret or that there's a hidden benefit to a habit you already do.
8. Contrast Between Known and Unknown
Curiosity often emerges when we realize how much we don’t know relative to what we already know. This awareness can motivate deeper learning.
Example: You know the basic idea of black holes, but realize you don’t understand how they form or why they warp time.
9. The "Curiosity Gap" in Media
Media headlines often exploit curiosity gaps to drive engagement by offering a hint while withholding key details.
Example: “You won’t believe what scientists just discovered on Mars…”
10. Temporal Gaps
If we know something will be revealed in the future, anticipation builds. The passage of time intensifies curiosity as the gap lingers unresolved.
Example: Teasers before a product launch or countdowns to announcements.