The Essential Difference between ‘Being Curious’ and ‘Taking an Interest’

There’s an important difference among the ways we approach our own lack of knowledge. When we want to know something, are we satisfied once we’ve found the answer? Do we stop reading the detective novel once we’ve discovered who committed the crime, or are we suddenly intrigued by new questions?

Psychological researcher Suzanne Hidi, author of The Power of Interest for Motivation and Engagement, says this difference —between curiosity and interest — can help us understand why some people app...