Epistemic curiosity and related constructs: Lacking evidence of discriminant validity

Abstract

Epistemic curiosity, defined as the desire for knowledge to solve intellectual problems and eliminate information gaps, lacks discriminant validity relative to need for cognition, typical intellectual engagement, and openness to ideas. Across two studies involving 586 total participants, correlations between various curiosity measures and these related constructs were virtually identical to correlations within the curiosity measures themselves. Mean convergent validity coefficients of .60 and .59 were observed alongside mean discriminant validity coefficients of .59 and .57, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis further demonstrates that a single underlying factor explains the variance of these constructs reasonably well. These results indicate that despite differing theoretical origins and labels, these psychological constructs occupy substantially overlapping domains. The absence of empirical distinction suggests that the separate bodies of research surrounding these concepts should be integrated to better facilitate theory development and investigate the impact of intellectual curiosity on life outcomes such as academic learning, personal growth, and job performance. – AI-generated abstract.