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A shared “optimal-level of arousal”: Seeking basis for creativity and curiosity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2024

Erik Gustafsson Open the ORCID record for Erik Gustafsson [Opens in a new window] ,
Paula Ibáñez de Aldecoa  and
Emily R R Burdett
Erik Gustafsson*
Affiliation:
Institut National Supérieur du Professorat et de l'Education, Maison des Science de l'Homme et de l'Environnement (UAR 3124), University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France erik.gustafsson@univ-fcomte.fr Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/psychology/people/emily.burdett
Paula Ibáñez de Aldecoa
Affiliation:
Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse, University of Toulouse 1 Capitole, Toulouse, France p.i.aldecoa@gmail.com https://www.iast.fr/people/paula-ibanez-de-aldecoa
Emily R R Burdett
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK Emily.burdett@nottingham.ac.uk
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

We argue that the phases identified in the novelty-seeking model can be clarified by considering an updated version of the optimal-level of arousal model, which incorporates the “arousal” and “mood changing” potentials of stimuli and contexts. Such a model provides valuable insights into what determines one's state of mind, inter-individual differences, and the rewarding effects of curiosity and creativity.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 47 , 2024 , e100
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press

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