Trait and State Curiosity in the Genesis of Intimacy: Differentiation From Related Constructs

We examined the roles of curiosity, social anxiety, and positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) in the development of interpersonal closeness. A reciprocal self–disclosure task was used wherein participants and trained confederates asked and answered questions escalating in personal and emotional depth (mimicking closeness-development). Relationships between curiosity and relationship outcomes were examined using regression analyses. Controlling for trait measures of social anxiety, PA, and NA, trait curiosity predicted greater partner ratings of attraction and closeness. Social anxiety moderated the relationship between trait curiosity and self-ratings of attraction such that curiosity was associated with greater attraction among those low in social anxiety compared to those high in social anxiety. In contrast, trait PA was related to greater self-ratings of attraction but had no relationship with partners' ratings. Trait curiosity predicted positive relationship outcomes as a function of state curiosity generated during the interaction, even after controlling for state PA.