Curiosity and Aging: How Intrinsic Motivation Shapes Memory and Learning Across the Lifespan

Science Weekly investigates curiosity as a driver of learning and memory, tracing its neural basis and how it shifts with age. The episode distinguishes epistemic, perceptual, social, and morbid curiosity, and explains trait versus state curiosity. It explains how anticipation activates the dopamine reward circuit and anchors memory in the hippocampus, boosting recall for curious information. Findings show older adults may show lower trait curiosity but higher state curiosity for specific questions, with a midlife dip around age 40. The show also highlights benefits for academics and careers and cautions against scams that prey on curiosity. Timely trivia notes New Zealand as the first country to grant women suffrage and Panama's Anton Valley for square-trunk trees.

Trivia, Implications, and Takeaways

The episode closes with accessible examples showing curiosity in action. A trivia question about the first country to grant women the vote is New Zealand, illustrating how curiosity enhances memory for both target and incidental information. Another light moment notes that square-trunk trees grow in Anton Valley, Panama, inviting listeners to explore natural curiosities beyond trivia. The discussion emphasizes practical implications for education and workplaces: fostering curiosity can boost learning, performance, and well-being across the lifespan, provided audiences remain vigilant against misinformation and scams. "trees with square trunks grow in the Anton Valley in Panama" - The Guardian.

"trees with square trunks grow in the Anton Valley in Panama" - The Guardian