Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI-II)

Abstract

The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI-II) is a 10-item, two-factor self-report instrument designed to measure individual differences in the tendency to recognize, pursue, and integrate novel and challenging information and experiences. Its two dimensions operationalize the multifaceted nature of dispositional curiosity: Stretching, which reflects the motivation to actively seek out knowledge and new experiences (Exploration), and Embracing, which reflects a willingness to embrace the novel, uncertain, and unpredictable nature of everyday life (Absorption/Tolerance for Uncertainty).

Keywords

Curiosity, Exploration, CEI-II, Stretching, Embracing, Novelty Seeking, Individual Differences, Psychological Assessment, Self-Report, Trait Curiosity.

Authors

Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D., Matt Gallagher, Ph.D., Paul Silvia, Ph.D.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the CEI-II is to serve as a reliable and efficient self-report instrument for assessing dispositional curiosity and exploratory behavior in adults. It was developed to overcome limitations of earlier, unidimensional measures of curiosity by recognizing that curiosity involves both the active pursuit of knowledge and the subsequent engagement with uncertainty.

The scale aims to capture individual differences across two distinct but related facets: Stretching, representing the active drive toward new information, and Embracing, representing the positive orientation toward the unpredictable aspects of life. This bifactorial approach allows researchers to investigate how these specific facets relate to diverse outcomes, including well-being, interpersonal functioning, and academic success.

Construct

The CEI-II measures the psychological construct of dispositional exploration and curiosity, conceptualized as a motivational system driving the pursuit of novel and challenging information and experiences. The construct is operationalized through two primary dimensions:

• Stretching (Exploration): This factor, comprising five items, refers to appetitive strivings for novel and challenging information and experiences. It captures the proactive motivation to seek out and acquire new knowledge and skills.
• Embracing (Absorption/Tolerance for Uncertainty): This factor, also comprising five items, refers to the propensity to be deeply engaged in activities and the willingness to welcome the novel, uncertain, and unpredictable aspects of daily life.

Validity

The CEI-II demonstrates robust convergent and incremental validity. Evidence for its validity includes moderately large positive correlations with established personality and motivational constructs. Specifically, strong positive relationships have been identified between CEI-II scores and measures of intrinsic motivation, reward sensitivity, Openness to Experience (a core dimension of the Big Five personality model), and subjective vitality.

Crucially, the scale exhibits incremental validity, meaning it accounts for unique variance in criterion measures beyond that explained by overlapping constructs such as general positive affect and reward sensitivity. This confirms that the CEI-II measures a distinct and valuable psychological mechanism related to active engagement and tolerance for ambiguity. Research has also linked CEI-II scores to beneficial outcomes, such as fostering intimacy and protecting against interpersonal aggression.

Reliability

The CEI-II possesses good internal reliability, indicating high consistency among the 10 items and across its two subscales (Stretching and Embracing). This psychometric strength ensures that the scale components reliably measure the intended underlying constructs of dispositional curiosity.

In addition to the stable trait version, a state version of the CEI-II has also been developed and validated. This state measure demonstrates sensitivity to change, making it a valuable tool for tracking temporary fluctuations in curiosity levels within experimental settings or daily diary studies.

Factor Analysis

The CEI-II was developed based on a two-factor structure confirmed through factor analysis. This structure supports the theoretical conceptualization that dispositional curiosity is dual-faceted, involving both active seeking and positive engagement with uncertainty. The two factors are:

• Factor 1: Stretching (Items 1, 3, 5, 7, 9)
• Factor 2: Embracing (Items 2, 4, 6, 8, 10)

The clear loading of the 10 items onto these two independent, yet related, dimensions confirms the inventory’s ability to differentiate between the motivational drive toward new experiences and the emotional acceptance of novelty and unpredictability.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire / Psychological Inventory

Format: 10 items, rated using a 7-point Likert-type scale (ranging from 1 = Very Slightly or Not At All to 7 = Extremely).

Language Available: English (Original). Translations may be available through subsequent academic research.

Population Group: General population.

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults.

Population Details: Originally validated using university student and community samples.

Test Methodology: Quick administration time, typically taking less than 2 minutes to complete. No formal time limit is imposed.

Keywords

Psychological Assessment, Trait Curiosity, Exploration Behavior, Stretching factor, Embracing factor, Personality, Subjective Vitality, Incremental Validity.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Information not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: Information not provided in source content.

Correspondence Address: Correspondence should be directed to the lead author, Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 2009 (Year of publication of the definitive CEI-II validation paper).

Permissions and Fee: The scale is generally available for non-commercial academic research use. Researchers are advised to contact the original authors, particularly Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D., to request formal permission for usage and to confirm any associated fees for commercial or clinical applications.

Reference’s

1. Kashdan, T.B., Gallagher, M.W., Silvia, P.J., Winterstein, B.P., Breen, W.E., Terhar, D., & Steger, M.F. (2009). The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II: Development, factor structure, and initial psychometrics. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 987-998.
2. Kashdan, T.B., McKnight, P.E., Fincham, F.D., & Rose, P. (2011). When curiosity breeds intimacy: Taking advantage of intimacy opportunities and transforming boring conversations. Journal of Personality, 79, 1369-1401.
3. Kashdan, T.B., Dewall, C.N., Pond, R.S., Silvia, P.J., Lambert, N.M., Fincham, F.D., Savostyanova, A.A., & Keller, P.S. (in press). Curiosity protects against interpersonal aggression: Cross-sectional, daily process, and behavioral evidence. Journal of Personality.

Items of the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI-II)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Instructions: Rate the statements below for how accurately they reflect the way you generally feel and behave. Do not rate what you think you should do, or wish you do, or things you no longer do. Please be as honest as possible.		Very Slightly or Not At All	A Little	Moderately	Quite a Bit	Extremely
1.	I actively seek as much information as I can in new situations.	1	2	3	4	5
2.	I am the type of person who really enjoys the uncertainty of everyday life.	1	2	3	4	5
3.	I am at my best when doing something that is complex or challenging.	1	2	3	4	5
4.	Everywhere I go, I am out looking for new things or experiences.	1	2	3	4	5
5.	I view challenging situations as an opportunity to grow and learn.	1	2	3	4	5
6.	I like to do things that are a little frightening.	1	2	3	4	5
7.	I am always looking for experiences that challenge how I think about myself and the world.	1	2	3	4	5
8.	I prefer jobs that are excitingly unpredictable.	1	2	3	4	5
9.	I frequently seek out opportunities to challenge myself and grow as a person.	1	2	3	4	5
10.	I am the kind of person who embraces unfamiliar people, events, and places.	1	2	3	4	5
Stretching: 1,3,5,7, 9 / Embracing: 2,4,6,8, 10. ©2009 Kashdan, T. B., Gallagher, M. W., Silvia, P. J., Winterstein, B. P., Breen, W. E., Terhar, D., & Steger, M. F. (2009). The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II. Development, factor structure, and psychometrics. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 987-998.