Curiosity as the Engine of Survival and Learning

Curiosity has been favored by natural selection due to its beneficial role in our ancestors' survival. It motivated them to find water, food, and forge relationships. Research shows that even infants have a preference for novelty, demonstrating that curiosity is encoded in our brains. Additionally, dopamine, the happy hormone, is released when we're curious, similar to during sex or enjoying tasty food. Curiosity plays a crucial role in learning, starting from babbling as infants to language development and overall child development. It fosters connections with others, going beyond extracting information, and contributes to meaningful relationships.