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Curiosity and Exploration Inventory
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About Curiosity and Exploration Inventory
Scale Name
Curiosity and Exploration Inventory
Author Details
Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D., and Michael F. Steger, Ph.D.
Translation Availability
Not Sure

Background/Description
The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI) was developed by Todd B. Kashdan and Michael F. Steger in 2004 as a psychological tool to measure individual differences in curiosity and the tendency to seek out new experiences. Curiosity, often defined as a desire for new knowledge and experiences, plays a critical role in personal development, creativity, and overall psychological well-being. The CEI provides a structured way to assess this trait, making it useful in both research and clinical practice.
The CEI is grounded in the idea that curiosity is a multifaceted construct, encompassing both the exploration of novel stimuli and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. The inventory assesses two main dimensions of curiosity: Stretching (the motivation to seek out new knowledge and experiences) and Embracing (a willingness to tolerate the novel and unpredictable nature of new experiences). These dimensions reflect the proactive and reactive aspects of curiosity, respectively.
The CEI is applicable in various contexts, including personality research, educational settings, and therapy, where understanding an individual’s level of curiosity can inform interventions aimed at enhancing well-being and fostering personal growth.
Scoring, Administration and Interpretation
- Participant Selection: The CEI is suitable for adults and adolescents. It can be used in both research studies and clinical assessments to measure curiosity and exploratory behavior.
- Questionnaire Distribution: The CEI is typically administered as a self-report questionnaire. It can be distributed in paper form or electronically, depending on the context.
- Response Format: Participants respond to a series of statements on a Likert scale, typically ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree), indicating their level of agreement with each statement.
- Scoring: The CEI consists of items that measure the two dimensions of curiosity: Stretching and Embracing. Scores are calculated by summing the responses for each dimension, with higher scores indicating a greater degree of curiosity.
Reliability and Validity
The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory has been shown to have strong psychometric properties. The internal consistency of the CEI, as measured by Cronbach’s alpha, is typically high, indicating reliable measurement of the curiosity construct. The inventory also demonstrates good construct validity, with scores on the CEI correlating positively with measures of related constructs such as openness to experience, intrinsic motivation, and psychological well-being.
Additionally, the CEI has been validated across diverse populations, making it a robust tool for assessing curiosity in different cultural and demographic groups. Its reliability and validity make it a trusted measure for both researchers and clinicians interested in exploring the role of curiosity in human behavior and mental health.
Available Versions
10-Items
07-Items
Reference
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(6), 987-998.
Kashdan, T. B., Rose, P., & Fincham, F. D. (2004). Curiosity and exploration: Facilitating positive subjective experiences and personal growth opportunities. Journal of personality assessment, 82(3), 291-305.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI)?
A: The CEI is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure individual differences in curiosity and the tendency to seek out new experiences.
Q: Who developed the CEI?
A: The CEI was developed by Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D., and Michael F. Steger, Ph.D., in 2004.
Q: How is the CEI administered?
A: The CEI is administered as a self-report inventory, where participants rate their agreement with statements about their curiosity on a Likert scale.
Q: What are the dimensions of curiosity assessed by the CEI?
A: The CEI assesses two dimensions of curiosity: Stretching (motivation to seek out new knowledge) and Embracing (willingness to tolerate uncertainty and novelty).
Q: How reliable is the CEI?
A: The CEI has demonstrated strong reliability and validity, making it a trusted tool for assessing curiosity in various populations.
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