Curiosity, in Five Shades

Last month, flying out of Bangalore, I picked up this book on Curiosity. The title caught my eye, and looking back, I smile — that impulse buy was probably my joyous exploration side at play.

The book is part of the Harvard Business Review Press series on Emotional Intelligence, and it is a compilation of research and insights by different scholars on the theme of Curiosity — how it shapes our thinking, relationships, and the way we see the world. This weekend, I finally opened it, and the first research paper by Todd Kashdan and his colleagues gave me an insight I hadn’t considered before: Curiosity isn’t one thing. It shows up in five distinct forms, each reflecting a different way of engaging with the world.

1. Joyous Exploration – The Explorer.

This is Curiosity in its purest form — the thrill of discovery for its own sake. People who score high here see novelty as energizing. They are the “explorers” among us — the ones who light up at new ideas, dive into books or podcasts for fun, and see life as an endless adventure.

2. Deprivation Sensitivity – The Problem-Solver.

This form is less about delight and more about the discomfort of not knowing. It is the relentless drive to close knowledge gaps and find solutions. These are the “problem-solvers” — analytical minds who cannot rest until they’ve resolved a question or cracked a challenge. For them, Curiosity feels like tension that only an answer can relieve.

3. Stress Tolerance – The Pioneer.

Curiosity inevitably means facing uncertainty. Stress tolerance reflects how comfortable someone is with ambiguity and risk. Those high in this dimension are “pioneers” — people who lean into the unknown, willing to experiment and stay open when there are no guarantees. Those lower in stress tolerance may avoid exploration because it feels threatening.

4. Social Curiosity – The Connector.

This form is directed at people. It reflects a desire to know what others think, feel, and do. High scorers here are “connectors” — individuals who are naturally drawn to conversations, eager to understand human behavior, and motivated to build deeper relationships. Their Curiosity strengthens social bonds.

5. Thrill Seeking – The Adventurer.

This is Curiosity fueled by stimulation, risk, and adrenaline. People high in thrill seeking are the “adventurers” — those who chase dynamic, uncertain, and sometimes risky experiences. They are energized by pushing boundaries and testing limits, often driving innovation but also flirting with danger.

I asked myself what kind of curiosity profile I represent. I love learning new stuff (joyous exploration), I enjoy problem-solving (deprivation sensitivity), and I love engaging with people (social Curiosity).

What about you? Which dimensions of Curiosity feel strongest in you?