Authors - Pranaav Contractor, Sanika Ajgaonkar, Nishanth Ravichandran, Satishkumar Chavan Abstract - This paper examines the interplay between demographic factors and a newly developed behav ioral construct—modern investment curiosity—and how these elements collectively shape finan cial behaviors among higher education faculty. Drawing from survey responses of 145 educators situated in Kollam District, Kerala, India, the study applies descriptive statistical techniques alongside chi-square tests to evaluate four research hypotheses. The data reveals a predominantly risk-averse financial posture among participants, with post-retirement security ranking as the foremost financial goal and bank deposits serving as the dominant investment channel. Statistical testing shows no meaningful relationships between saving patterns and either household size or disability status. A statistically significant positive association emerges between investment cu riosity and ownership of equity or mutual fund products (χ² = 8.40, p < 0.01). Additionally, mar ital status demonstrates a significant relationship with investment curiosity (χ² = 5.28, p < 0.05), where unmarried faculty report higher curiosity levels. These observations are consistent with established frameworks including the Life-Cycle Hypothesis and the Theory of Planned Behav ior, positioning investment curiosity as a relevant psychological factor in financial decision-mak ing. The paper offers practical suggestions for institutional programming and identifies avenues for subsequent scholarly inquiry.
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