Rediscovering Interpersonal Curiosity in Youth Development
Way, N., & Taffe, R. (2024). Interpersonal curiosity: A missing construct in the field of human development. Human Development. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1159/000542162
Introduction
Curiosity is central to human growth, but scholarship has overwhelmingly emphasized intellectual curiosity (the drive to understand the material world) while neglecting interpersonal curiosity, or the desire to know about others’ thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Way and Taffe (2024) contend this imbalance overlooks a key driver of social-emotional development, particularly as children and adolescents show strong interpersonal interests from an early age.
Methods
The authors reviewed cross-cultural and developmental studies on curiosity and reported findings from The Listening Project, a classroom-based intervention with nearly 700 middle school students in New York City. In their own research using transformative interviewing, students were trained to ask open-ended, perspective-seeking questions of peers, caregivers, and teachers. Responses were coded into categories reflecting curiosity about oneself, others, shared relationships, and others’ relationships.
Results
Over half of students’ questions demonstrated interpersonal curiosity, most frequently focused on others’ feelings and experiences. Dimensions of curiosity were linked to markers of wellbeing: curiosity about self and others predicted empathy, while curiosity about relationships predicted friendship quality and active listening. Gender differences emerged, with girls displaying more interpersonal curiosity and stronger associations with wellbeing outcomes than boys.
Discussion
Findings highlight interpersonal curiosity as distinct from intellectual curiosity, with implications for social connection and learning. Cultivating curiosity about others may counter stereotypes, foster empathy, and strengthen belonging in schools.
Implications for Mentoring Programs
Mentoring initiatives should explicitly nurture interpersonal curiosity through structured question-asking and reflective dialogue. By encouraging mentors and mentees to ask about each other’s experiences, programs can enhance empathy, relationship quality, and youths’ sense of common humanity.
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