What is a Question of Curiosity?
People ask Questions of Curiosity to learn more about the motivations, thought processes, knowledge, and experiences behind an idea. These questions ask someone to share the experiences and stories that led them to hold their current beliefs.
Questions of Curiosity are especially useful when discussing polarized or sensitive topics, because they:
- Combat bias
- Increase understanding
- Build trust
- Enhance inclusion and a sense of belonging
- De-escalate conflict
- Depolarize dialogue between people on opposite sides of an issue
- Encourage way cooler, more interesting, and more meaningful conversations!
Examples:
- What experience did you have that led to that belief?
- What's the story behind that?
- What was that experience like?
- How did you come to that idea?
- Talk to me. Tell me about...