The Trait of Curiosity as a Predictor of Emotional Intelligence

This study examined the relationship between curiosity and emotional intelligence (EI) in a sample of graduate and undergraduate business administration students. Curiosity was assessed using the Melbourne Curiosity Inventory ( Naylor, 1981 ) and the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory ( Kashdan, Rose, & Fincham, 2004 ), and EI was measured using the Trait Meta‐Mood Scale (TMMS; Salovey, Mayer, Goldman, Turvey, & Palfai, 1995 ). Results indicate a significant relationship between trait curiosity and EI. Relationships between the subscales of the 3 measures are also reported. Stepwise regression analysis indicates that trait curiosity and absorption curiosity were the best predictors of total EI; while absorption curiosity was the best predictor of attention to emotions, clarity of emotions, and repair of emotions. Curiosity [has been] conceptualized as a positive emotional‐motivation system associated with the recognition, pursuit, and self‐regulation of novelty and challenge. ( Kashdan, Rose, & Fincham, 2004 , p. 291)