UndergradSkiller: Skill Set Map for Undergraduates and Their Educators

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING: Curiosity and Creative Thinking

Understanding Curiosity

Research on curiosity suggests it can be understood, measured, and deliberately cultivated. These resources explore how curiosity works, why it matters, and how it can be developed as a lifelong skill.

Useful Resources on Understanding Curiosity:

Adams, B., & Newton, C. (2025). Learning for life: How curiosity shapes wellbeing with Bia Adams [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3ab6rhK4n0

Annotation: Recorded conversation between neuropsychologist Bia Adams and Curt Newton, Director of MIT OpenCourseWare, exploring how curiosity contributes to wellbeing and lifelong learning.

Le Cunff, A.-L. (2024). Systematic curiosity as an integrative tool for human flourishing: A conceptual review and framework. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 58, 1876–1894. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-024-09856-6

Annotation: Article reviewing seventy years of research on curiosity and proposing a framework for "systematic curiosity" as a developable skill, encompassing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components.

Dweck, C. S. (2016). Mindset (Rev. ed.). Robinson. https://online.fliphtml5.com/efpes/yfdh/#p=1

Annotation: Book presenting the concept of the growth mindset, arguing that beliefs about the malleability of abilities influence learning, motivation, resilience, and achievement across educational, professional, and personal contexts. Summarizes research on fixed and growth mindsets, introduces the concept of false growth mindset, and discusses practical applications for teaching, parenting, leadership, and organizational culture.

Leslie, I. (2014). Curious: The desire to know and why your future depends on it. Basic Books. ISBN 978-0-465-05694-1. https://archive.org/details/curiousdesiretok0000lesl_w0v9

Annotation: Book examining the role of curiosity in learning, creativity, and personal development. Explores why curiosity declines over time, discusses its cognitive and social benefits, and uses case studies and practical examples to illustrate how curiosity can be cultivated and applied in educational, professional, and everyday contexts.

Oakley, B. A., & Sejnowski, T. J. (n.d.). Learning how to learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects. Coursera. https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn

Annotation: Online course introducing evidence-based learning strategies drawn from cognitive science and neuroscience. Covers key topics including learning modes, chunking, memory, procrastination, and common misconceptions about learning, while providing practical techniques to improve learning efficiency, problem solving, and long-term knowledge retention.

Peer Review: None

Table of contents:

3.1. Critical Thinking
3.1.1. Introductions to Critical Thinking
3.1.2. Developing Thinking Skills

3.2. Critical Reading and Analysis

3.3. Analysis and Argumentation

3.4. Critical Reasoning

3.5. Synthesis

3.6. Problem-Solving and Design Thinking
3.6.1. Problem-Solving
3.6.2. Design Thinking

3.7. Research Methods
3.7.1. Research Design
3.7.2. Research Ethics

3.8. Data Literacy
3.8.1. Understanding Data
3.8.2. Computational Thinking
3.8.3. Statistical and Numerical Analysis

3.9. Curiosity and Creative Thinking
3.9.1. Creative Exercises

3.9.2. Understanding Curiosity

 

Author: Leeanne Irwin

Peer Reviewer(s): None