Definition
Exploration refers to the act of gathering information about an environment as result of being curious [1]. The discrepant properties of objects and events arouse curiosity (e.g., in the form of a question), and exploratory responses to satisfy this curiosity expose one to information from the environment that was not previously available [5]. By exploring the environment, new information is acquired and learning ensues. After a child becomes curious about an exciting new computer game, for example, her passive exploration might entail merely observing how a peer plays the game; active exploration would involve actually playing the game to learn its properties. In effect, active exploration of an environment is more likely to result in greater knowledge acquisition than passive exploration [2].
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Both animals and humans engage in exploration for the...
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References
Berlyne, D. E. (1960). Conflict, arousal, and curiosity. New York: McGraw-Hill.
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Reio, T. G., Jr., & Wiswell, A. K. (2000). Field investigation of the relationship between adult curiosity, workplace learning, and job performance. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 11, 1–36.
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Reio, T.G. (2011). Active Exploration. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_45
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_45
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