Problem Solving in Adulthood Part 1: Curiosity and Generosity

In this episode we begin a new series about productive problem solving in adulthood. In this first episode of our new adulthood series, we explore the importance of curiosity and generosity when trying to understand where other adults are coming from when there’s a problem at hand. 

Listen to episode #3 of The PAWsitive Choices Podcast to learn more about the 3 Cs of positive connection. 

Tips for Practicing Curiosity and Generosity: 

Tip #1. Add to Your “Mental Generosity Bank”  

Whenever you find yourself arriving late to work, not being friendly to others, or other situations in which you’re not being your best self due to factors outside of your control, add these factors to your “mental generosity bank.” The next time someone cuts you off in traffic or arrives late to a meeting, you can extend them grace and think that their actions might be due to the very situations that you’ve experienced in your own life. 
  
 Tip #2. Communicate Curiosity   

When someone is acting in a way that is outside of their usual behavior or if someone says something that is unkind, you can express curiosity to better understand where they are coming from and ultimately solve the problem. Examples of curiosity in conversations include:

• “I’m curious why you ___” 
• “Help me understand what you mean by ______” 
• “Can you say more about _____?” 

The content described in this episode is part of the PAWsitive Choices curriculum. You can learn more about this curriculum on our online store. 

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Research Citation

Moskowitz, G. B., & Gill, M. J. (2013). Person perception. In D. Reisberg (Ed.), Oxford library of psychology. The Oxford handbook of cognitive psychology (p. 918–942). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195376746.013.0058