intrinsic curiosity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intrinsic curiosity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a natural or inherent desire to learn or know more about something. Example: "Her intrinsic curiosity drove her to explore various scientific fields and ask profound questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It extends the intrinsic curiosity with which we are born.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

In my humble opinion, this really amounts to the same thing, which is to produce and promote a school culture that rewards utilitarian, unethical, shortsighted behavior that destroys a student's intrinsic curiosity, creativity, and love of learning.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

An exploratory factor analysis found four motivation factors integrative, intrinsic, extrinsic, and curiosity—, and four attitude factors cognitive, conative, negative affect, and self-efficacy.

System

Overall analysis revealed that even those women who described themselves as introverts, revealed an inner independence and curiosity intrinsic to their personality that aligned to their particular personal skills (organization, problem solving, technology, etc).

International Journal of STEM Education

This curiosity is an intrinsic process motivator.

International Journal of STEM Education

In Citizen Science intrinsic motivation such as scientific curiosity and altruism are often engaged but for other types of crowdsourcing activities extrinsic rewards, such as monetary prizes are sometimes offered; such as by the data science platform of Kaggle.

EBioMedicine

It is not improbable that such curiosities should have suggested intrinsic properties of numbers bordering on mysticism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Recent studies have mostly focused on identifying motivational factors in digital games (e.g., curiosity, rules, control) that support intrinsic motivation.

Computers & Education

The book, an enjoyable satire of campus life at a vast, chaotic Midwestern university, isn't listed on his ad cards, but he hasn't kept it out of print, and on his informational Web page Stephenson takes the Rushdie approach, explaining that "if the book were judged on its own intrinsic merits, it would not... engender such curiosity.

The New York Times - Books

Previous curiosity-based agents acquired skills by associating intrinsic rewards with world model improvements, and used reinforcement learning to learn how to get these intrinsic rewards.

Artificial Intelligence

That doesn't mean, he added, that universities have to let go of the notion that there is an intrinsic value in enhancing creativity, pursuing knowledge and encouraging qualities, like curiosity and openness to new ideas, that cannot be easily quantified.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intrinsic curiosity" when emphasizing a natural, inherent drive to learn or explore, originating from within a person, rather than being motivated by external rewards.

Common error

Avoid using "intrinsic curiosity" when describing motivation driven by external factors, such as grades, rewards, or social approval. "Intrinsic curiosity" specifically refers to internal motivation. If the motivation comes from outside, consider using "extrinsic motivation" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intrinsic curiosity" functions as a noun phrase where "intrinsic" modifies "curiosity", describing it as an inherent or internal quality. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Intrinsic curiosity" refers to an inherent and internal drive to learn or explore. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct. Although it's not a very common phrase, occurring mostly in scientific and news-related contexts, its specific meaning distinguishes it from general curiosity. Using this phrase emphasizes that the motivation comes from within, rather than from external pressures or rewards. Remember to use synonyms like "inherent curiosity" or "innate inquisitiveness" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inherent curiosity

Replaces "intrinsic" with its direct synonym "inherent", maintaining the core meaning of innate inquisitiveness.

innate inquisitiveness

Substitutes "curiosity" with "inquisitiveness" and "intrinsic" with "innate", both implying a natural inclination.

natural curiosity

Uses "natural" instead of "intrinsic", emphasizing the inborn quality of the curiosity.

inborn inquisitiveness

Combines "inborn" and "inquisitiveness" to highlight the instinctive nature of the desire to learn.

internal drive to explore

Shifts from "curiosity" to "drive to explore", focusing on the action-oriented aspect of intrinsic motivation.

self-motivated learning

Highlights the self-driven aspect of learning, stemming from inherent curiosity.

internal motivation to learn

Emphasizes the internal source of motivation for acquiring knowledge, similar to intrinsic curiosity.

inner desire to understand

Focuses on the "desire to understand", which is a key component of intrinsic curiosity.

unquenchable thirst for knowledge

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the intense and persistent nature of intrinsic curiosity.

genuine interest in discovery

Highlights the aspect of discovery and genuine engagement fueled by an internal interest.

FAQs

How can I use "intrinsic curiosity" in a sentence?

You can use "intrinsic curiosity" to describe someone's natural desire to learn and explore. For example: "Her intrinsic curiosity led her to pursue a career in scientific research".

What's the difference between "intrinsic curiosity" and "extrinsic motivation"?

"Intrinsic curiosity" refers to an internal drive to learn, motivated by enjoyment and interest. "Extrinsic motivation", on the other hand, arises from external rewards or pressures.

What are some synonyms for "intrinsic curiosity"?

Alternatives include "inherent curiosity", "innate inquisitiveness", and "natural curiosity", all emphasizing a natural inclination to learn.

Is it appropriate to use "intrinsic curiosity" in formal writing?

Yes, "intrinsic curiosity" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic and professional contexts when discussing motivation and learning. It accurately conveys a specific type of internal drive.