Is interesting knowledge a reward? An integrative model of emotion, reward and appraisal frameworks of epistemic curiosity.

Is interesting knowledge a reward? To tackle this question, we review drive, optimal arousal, intrinsic motivation, information-gap, emotion, reward, and computational accounts of epistemic curiosity. fMRI, EEG, physiological and behavioral evidence in favor of the curiosity-as-a-reward-anticipation hypothesis is discussed: curiosity activates the dopaminergic brain and the reward circuit, enhances arousal, attention, memory, and academic learning. We propose an appraisal model which integrates emotion, information-gap, reward and active inference accounts of curiosity. According to this model, epistemic curiosity is an emotion which is triggered by perceived relevance, uncertainty and coping potential of the knowledge-gaps. Curiosity confers a reward value to its epistemic object, triggers a reward anticipation process and motivates an exploitative knowledge-seeking behavior (i.e., wanting knowledge). Once curiosity is satisfied, future knowledge-seeking expectations are updated according to affective prediction errors (i.e. liking and learning). If perceived coping is appraised as low, the knowledge-gap creates anxiety and leads to information-avoidance. We also discuss what roles play frustration, enjoyment, boredom and surprise in the affective dynamics of knowledge-acquisition.