Choose to be Curious Ep. #296: Curiosity & Successful Aging, with Mary Whatley
Sep 9, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Mary Whatley, an assistant professor of psychology at Western Carolina University, dives into the intriguing relationship between curiosity and aging. She explores how state curiosity can actually rise with age, presenting a surprising U-shape trend. Hear her insights on the balance of trait versus state curiosity, the motivational aspects of learning, and practical ways to enhance curiosity for well-being. Reflective practices, social learning, and even playful analogies make her research both enlightening and relatable.
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Grandparents Sparked Research Interest
- Mary Whatley grew up fascinated by her active, engaged grandparents who visited museums and read daily.
- That childhood exposure shaped her interest in aging and motivated her research path.
Curiosity As Desire To Know
- Mary Whatley defines curiosity as a motivation to learn without an external reward.
- She focuses on the specific desire to know rather than broad multifaceted curiosity.
Trait Versus State Curiosity
- Trait curiosity is a person's general level while state curiosity is a momentary feeling.
- You can feel state curiosity even if you don't report high trait curiosity overall.