Choose to be Curious Ep. #293: Curiosity Becomes the Engine for Learning, with Matthias Gruber
Aug 21, 2025
Join neuroscientist Matthias Gruber, a professor at Cardiff University's Motivation and Memory Lab, as he unpacks the fascinating science behind curiosity. He discusses how curiosity fuels learning and enhances memory retention in young people and adults. The conversation highlights groundbreaking studies linking curiosity to cognitive mapping and classroom engagement. Gruber also explores the relationship between stress tolerance and curiosity, revealing its impact on exploration and educational practices. Prepare for a mind-expanding exploration of how curiosity shapes our learning experiences!
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Curiosity As A Momentary Intrinsic Drive
- Curiosity is best defined as the intrinsic desire to acquire novel knowledge.
- Matthias Gruber studies curiosity as a momentary state that fluctuates over time.
Developmental Shift In Curiosity Effects
- Gruber's team ran a trivia paradigm with 10–14 year olds and found curiosity predicted memory.
- They discovered 'interest/surprise' predicted memory only in 13–14 year olds, not 10–12 year olds.
Using fMRI To Map Curiosity Development
- fMRI will be used to track moment-to-moment curiosity and post-information interest in adolescents.
- The goal is to identify neural mechanisms explaining why older children show surprise-driven memory effects.
