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The Science of Interest

  • Book
  • © 2017

Overview

  • Covers perspectives on interest ranging from curiosity and situational interest to passion and obsession from key scholars in the field
  • Integrates the science of interest with the neighboring fields of learning and motivation
  • Addresses how interest can be promoted from a clinical and education standpoint
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Theories and Perspectives

  2. Functions of Interest

  3. The Interest Spectrum

  4. The Promotion and Development of Interest

Keywords

About this book

This exceptional volume analyzes the intricate roles interest plays in cognition, motivation and learning, and daily living, with a special focus on its development and maintenance across life domains. Leading experts discuss a spectrum of interest ranging from curiosity to obsession, and trace its functions in goal-setting, decision-making, self-regulation, and performance. New research refines the current knowledge on student interest in educational settings and the social contexts of interest, with insights into why interest levels change during engagement and in the long run. From these findings, contributors address ways to foster and nurture interest in the therapy room and the classroom, for optimum benefits throughout life.

Among the topics covered:

·         Embedding interest within self-regulation.

·         Knowledge acquisition at the intersection of situational and individual interest.

·         The role of interest in motivation and engagement.

·         The two faces of passion.

·         Creative geniuses, polymaths, child prodigies, and autistic savants.

·         The promotion and development of interest.

A robust guide to a fascinating area of study, The Science of Interest synthesizes the field’s current knowledge of interest and indicates future directions. Its chapters contribute depth and rigor to this growing area of research, and will enhance the work of researchers in education, psychologists, social scientists, and public policymakers. 

Editors and Affiliations

  • Department of Psychology, Yale-NUS College, Singapore, Singapore

    Paul A. O'Keefe

  • Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA

    Judith M. Harackiewicz

About the editors

Paul A.  O Keefe is a social psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Yale-NUS College. He conducts research pertaining to goal pursuit with particular attention to motivational factors, such as interest, implicit self-theories, and self-regulation. He was a Spencer Fellow at Duke University and recipient of the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Postdoctoral Fellowship (funded by NIH), a position he held at Stanford University. 

Judith Harackiewicz is Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin­ Madison. She received a Spencer Fellowship from the National Academy of Education, and two major teaching awards: the University of Wisconsin Madison Chancellor s Award for Distinguished Teaching, and the Alliant Energy Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award for the University of Wisconsin System. She is a former editor of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

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