Effect of Two Types of Epistemic Curiosity on Aesthetic Experience

Abstract

People with high levels of curiosity can find higher levels of positive aesthetic experiences. In this regard, two types of epistemic curiosity should be distinguished: diversive curiosity, which prompts a person to explore a wide range of novel things, and specific curiosity, which prompts a person to resolve conflict in complex events. This study explored the effect of these two types of epistemic curiosity on aesthetic response when participants (Japanese undergraduate students, N = 77) viewed kamon (Japanese family crests). In particular, multilevel modeling results show that individual differences in cognitive appraisals are related to curiosity types. On average, people with high levels of diversive curiosity have a greater capacity to find beauty in their stimuli. On average, people with high levels of specific curiosity regard kamons as more beautiful when perceived as complex. This study revealed that the two types of epistemic curiosity enhance aesthetic experiences through different mechanisms.