Abstract
Researchers have established an association between curiosity and decision-making, in that curiosity can influence subsequent cognitions and actions either positively or negatively. The authors developed the present study to better understand how various facets of curiosity can predict decision-making. Additionally, we were interested in how decision-making could predict one’s outcome expectations (i.e., expectation of escape versus capture in a simulated experience). As experts have understood curiosity to be understood in multiple facets (Litman, 2008; Lindgren et al., 2010), the initial hypothesis of the present study was to determine which facet of curiosity (e.g., diversive, intolerance, competency, problem-solving) was most appropriate in understanding its effects on risky decision-making. Additionally, the authors hypothesized that participants inclined to make more risk-taking decisions would be more likely to anticipate their escape from the simulation rather than their capture. Results found that people with high diversive curiosity made more risk-averse choices. Additionally, results suggest that participants with higher risk-taking decisions were significantly more likely to predict their escape rather than capture in a simulated experience. The authors provide implications for future research.
Recommended Citation
Danielson, Rachael and Messerschmitt-Coen, Shelby
(2023)
"Investigating Risky Decision-Making with Curiosity and Outcome Expectations in a Simulated Experience,"
International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities: Vol. 15:
Iss.
1, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7710/2168-0620.0400
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/ijurca/vol15/iss1/7