%% [[Learning]] tags:: #note/idea | #on/curiosity | #on/behavior people:: # Optimal Arousal Theory Lon Setnik dates:: 2022-08-21 %% *How curiosity motivates exploration.* This reminds me of [[Theory of Action]], how we have certain needs. There are different personality types as in [[Enneagram]]. ### Optimal-arousal theory Optimal-arousal theory developed out of the need to explain the desire for some to seek out opportunities to engage in exploratory behaviors without the presence of uncertain or ambiguous situations. Optimal-arousal theory attempts to explain this aspect of curiosity by suggesting that one can be motivated to maintain a pleasurable sense of arousal through these exploratory behaviors. The concept of optimal-arousal of curiosity suggests that there is a tendency to maintain an optimal level of arousal.[[8]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curiosity#cite_note-:Berlyne-8) When a stimulus is encountered that is associated with complexity, uncertainty, conflict, or novelty, this will increase arousal, and exploratory behavior is employed to learn about that stimulus and thereby reduce arousal again. In contrast, if the environment is boring and lacks excitement, arousal is reduced and exploratory behavior will be engaged in order to increase information input and stimulation, and thereby increasing arousal again. This theory addresses both curiosity elicited by uncertain or unfamiliar situations and curiosity elicited in the absence of such situations. It matters because each person wants to stay in [[Flow]] which requires arousal. Some like exploration which is a way to stay in flow. ### What would the opposite argument be? ## Source: [wikipedia/curiosity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curiosity)