What if we could amplify our daily experiences of curiosity and wonder? How might this impact our health, happiness, and sense of meaning? These questions fuel my research. Drawing on insights from studying individual differences, I’m developing large-scale interventions that promote lasting changes in curiosity through behavioral and attitudinal habit formation strategies.

My smartphone app-based curiosity program teaches people how to activate their curiosity—not just through intellectually stimulating activities but by shifting their perspective toward the everyday: finding beauty in the mundane, meaning in the routine, and interest in everyday encounters.

Initial pilot tests show exciting results (Gross & Schooler, 2025), including increases in curiosity as a personality trait, along with boosts in other indicators of flourishing, like enhanced life meaning, reduced boredom, and positive shifts in thought patterns. This program marks a step toward transforming curiosity into a practical tool for character growth and personal fulfillment.

The new version of the app is under development and will be available in the App Store in late summer 2025!