Adjunctive Behavior & Its Relation to Curiosity and Creativity: A Novel Study

This novel study on children investigates separate constructs of child development: adjunctive behavior, curiosity, and creativity. The hypotheses were that there would be 1) a positive correlation between overall levels of adjunctive behavior and curiosity; (2) a positive correlation between appropriate adjunctive behavior, creativity, and curiosity; and (3) a negative correlation between inappropriate adjunctive behavior, creativity, and curiosity. The study took place over two visits via Zoom, split into two testing sessions. Eighteen children, ages 3.5-6.5, with ranging demographics (race, bilingualism, and exposure to another language) participated in the study. The children played an online aquarium game in the first session (50-85 minutes). They explored five different fish tanks to search for sea creatures. In the second visit (65-100 minutes), children completed thinking and drawing tasks, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, and the Lifespan Self-Esteem Scale. Caregivers received a $10 online gift card for their child’s participation. The data showed no significant correlations but trends between adjunctive behavior, curiosity, and creativity. The study lacked a greater sample size, which may have caused lower correlations. For future studies, adjunctive behavior could be studied within the school setting and focus on how children can use their adjunctive behavior to maintain their creativity and curiosity.