Subjective semantic search space as an estimate of prior knowledge predicts curiosity to learn among younger and older adults.

ABSTRACT: Although aging is associated with changes in cognitive functioning, older adults can show an intact ability to remember information that they are curious to know about. Some research suggests that older adults may exhibit greater states of curiosity during laboratory tasks compared to younger adults, as larger semantic networks characteristic of older age (e.g., more prior knowledge) may support learning and motivation. Still, what exactly constitutes prior knowledge remains ambiguous, raising the question of whether curiosity may be the outcome of an inferential appraisal whereby one estimates the number of answer candidates in their search space. In two experiments, younger and older adults saw a series of trivia questions, reported how many answer candidates were accessible, and rated t

SUBMITTER: Chen A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12948148 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature