CURIOSITY DEFINITION:Inquisitiveness; a desire for knowledge PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Tilting the head to the side Raised eyebrows Body posture that perks up A slow smile that builds Repeating a statement as a question Leaning forward and sliding one’s chair closer Pausing to examine Eyebrows furrowing and then releasing Blinking Gazing at the source with sudden focus Shifting from casual conversation to pointed questions A softened voice or tone that may contain wonder Crossing one’s arms while observing Prying or snooping Nose-wrinkling Posing hypothetical questions Lingering touches Stopping to pay attention (halting a current activity, like a fork pausing halfway to the mouth) Straining to hear; shushing others to be quiet Eavesdropping Cupping an elbow with one hand while tapping the lips with the other Squinting or pushing one’s glasses up Bending, kneeling, or squatting to get closer Tilting one’s body toward the source Shuffling, creeping, or edging closer Exploring the senses (e.g., smelling something new for the sake of knowing) Verbally expressing interest:Oh, look at that!orIsn’t that amazing? Pulling on someone’s sleeve to get them to join or follow A still demeanor to aid in observation Lips that are slightly parted Nodding slowly Poking or prodding at something Talking to oneself to work through new ideas and thoughts INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Breaths that hitch or briefly stop An increased pulse Tingling at the base of the neck MENTAL RESPONSES: A need to know, touch, or understand Forgetting what one was about to say or do A compulsion to detour toward something new Temporary cessation of worries, stress, or actions A desire to investigate or experiment Increased awareness of sensory information Wonder or interest at how something works or why it’s there Impatience with people who protect the status quo and don’t want to learn or grow ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Fidgeting or tics Hypersensitivity to the source of interest Obsessive thoughts Pointed or even rude questions Snooping or sneaking about to satisfy the need to know Blowing people off through one’s single-minded pursuit of knowledge or information Becoming frustrated when one’s efforts are thwarted, or one can’t find answers SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Keeping one’s eyes down Holding one’s hands in the lap A lack of eye contact Providing an excuse to linger or move toward the source Pretending to ignore or be unaware of the source A sidelong look Using one’s hair to hide an interested glance Feigning boredom MAY ESCALATE TO:Eagerness,Amazement,Awe,Conflicted,Intimidated MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Disappointment,Discouraged,Indifference ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Approach, ask, attract, creep desire, examine, explore, fascinate follow, inquire, interest, intrigue investigate, invite, lean, listen marvel, peer, poke, prod pursue, question, reach, test touch, wonder WRITER’S TIP:Smell triggers memory. Take advantage of this sense and build olfactory description into the scene. This will draw readers in and make them feel part of the action.