Table of Contents
Background:
The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI-II) is a 10-item scale with two factors: the motivation to seek out knowledge and new experiences (Stretching; five items) and a willingness to embrace the novel, uncertain, and unpredictable nature of everyday life (Embracing; five items).. The first factor, Exploration, refers to appetitive strivings for novel and challenging information and experiences. The second factor, Absorption, refers to the propensity to be deeply engaged in activities. Respondents rate items using a 7-point Likert-type scale.
Psychometrics:
The CEI-II has good internal reliability, and shows moderately large positive relationships with intrinsic motivation, reward sensitivity, openness to experience, and subjective vitality. Moreover, the CEI-II has shown incremental validity over and above the overlapping constructs of positive affect and reward sensitivity. The CEI-II takes less than 2 minutes to complete, but there is no time limit. A state version of the CEI-II has also been validated, demonstrating sensitivity to change.
Author of Tool:
Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D., Matt Gallagher, Ph.D. Paul Silvia, Ph.D.
Key references:
1. Kashdan, T.B., Gallagher, M.W., Silvia, P.J., Winterstein, B.P., Breen, W.E., Terhar, D., & Steger, M.F. (2009). The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II: Development, factor structure, and initial psychometrics. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 987-998.
2. Kashdan, T.B., McKnight, P.E., Fincham, F.D., & Rose, P. (2011). When curiosity breeds intimacy: Taking advantage of intimacy opportunities and transforming boring conversations. Journal of Personality, 79, 1369-1401.
3. Kashdan, T.B., Dewall, C.N., Pond, R.S., Silvia, P.J., Lambert, N.M., Fincham, F.D., Savostyanova, A.A., & Keller, P.S. (in press). Curiosity protects against interpersonal aggression: Cross-sectional, daily process, and behavioral evidence. Journal of Personality.
Primary use / Purpose:
The CEI-II is a self-report instrument assessing individual differences in the recognition, pursuit, and integration of novel and challenging experiences and information.
Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI‐II)
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Instructions: Rate the statements below for how accurately they reflect the way you generally feel and behave. Do not rate what you think you should do, or wish you do, or things you no longer do. Please be as honest as possible. |
Very Slightly or Not At All |
A Little |
Moderately |
Quite a Bit |
Extremely |
|
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1. |
I actively seek as much information as I can in new situations. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
2. |
I am the type of person who really enjoys the uncertainty of everyday life. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
3. |
I am at my best when doing something that is complex or challenging. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
4. |
Everywhere I go, I am out looking for new things or experiences. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
5. |
I view challenging situations as an opportunity to grow and learn. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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6. |
I like to do things that are a little frightening. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
7. |
I am always looking for experiences that challenge how I think about myself and the world. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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8. |
I prefer jobs that are excitingly unpredictable. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
9. |
I frequently seek out opportunities to challenge myself and grow as a person. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
10. |
I am the kind of person who embraces unfamiliar people, events, and places. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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Stretching: 1,3,5,7 / Embracing: 2,4,6,8.10. ©2009 Kashdan, T. B., Gallagher, M. W., Silvia, P. J., Winterstein, B. P., Breen, W. E., Terhar, D., & Steger, M. F. (2009). The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II. Development, factor structure, and psychometrics. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 987-998. |
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