The Effects of Curiosity-Evoking Events on Activity Enjoyment

Whereas prior literature has studied the positive effects of curiosity-evoking events that are integral to focal activities, we explore whether and how a curiosity-evoking event that is incidental to a focal activity induces negative outcomes for enjoyment. Four experiments and 1 field study demonst...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of experimental psychology. Applied 2016-09, Vol.22 (3), p.319-330
Main Authors: Isikman, Elif, MacInnis, Deborah J., Ülkümen, Gülden, Cavanaugh, Lisa A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attention
Attention - physiology
Curiosity
Distraction
Exploratory Behavior - physiology
Female
Human
Humans
Male
Mobile Phones
Pleasure
Pleasure - physiology
Text Messaging
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Summary:Whereas prior literature has studied the positive effects of curiosity-evoking events that are integral to focal activities, we explore whether and how a curiosity-evoking event that is incidental to a focal activity induces negative outcomes for enjoyment. Four experiments and 1 field study demonstrate that curiosity about an event that is incidental to an activity in which individuals are engaged, significantly affects enjoyment of a concurrent activity. The reason why is that curiosity diverts attention away from the concurrent activity and focuses attention on the curiosity-evoking event. Thus, curiosity regarding an incidental event decreases enjoyment of a positive focal activity but increases enjoyment of a negative focal activity.
ISSN:1076-898X
1939-2192
DOI:10.1037/xap0000089