All in the Mind The Psychology of Curiosity at Cheltenham Science Festival
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Jun 24, 2025 Matthias Gruber, an associate professor of psychology, specializes in the neuroscience of curiosity, while Tim Peake, an astronaut and test pilot, shares his out-of-this-world experiences aboard the International Space Station. Gosia Goclowska, a psychology lecturer, explores emotions like awe and surprise. Together, they discuss the significance of curiosity in fueling exploration, the brain's reward systems, and amusing anecdotes from space that highlight the quirks of living in zero gravity. Their insights illuminate how curiosity shapes learning and innovation in our lives.
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Space Lights Were Frozen Urine
- Tim Peake saw three strange lights from the International Space Station that he thought could be spacecraft.
- The lights turned out to be urine freezing and reflecting sunlight, not exciting space contact.
Curiosity Lights Up Brain Reward
- Curiosity activates the brain's dopaminergic reward circuit, motivating us to seek information.
- Our brains anticipate the reward of learning when we feel curious, enhancing motivation to discover.
Model and Encourage Curiosity
- Model curiosity and encourage asking questions without judgment, especially with children.
- Foster curiosity in environments like science museums to boost learning and interest.