Exploring the Psychology of Interest (Psychology of Human Motivation)

Psychologists have always been interested in interest, and so modern research on interest can be found in nearly every area of the field: Researchers studying emotions, cognition, development, education, aesthetics, personality, motivation, and vocations have developed intriguing ideas about what interest is and how it works. Exploring the Psychology of Interest presents an integrated picture of how interest has been studied in all the wide-ranging areas of psychology. Using modern theories of cognition and emotion as an integrative framework, Paul Silvia examines the nature of interest, what makes things interesting, the role of interest in personality, and the development of peoples idiosyncratic interests, hobbies, and avocations. His examination reveals deep similarities between seemingly different fields of psychology and illustrates the profound importance of interest, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation for understanding why people do what they do. The most comprehensive work of its kind, Exploring the Psychology of Interest will be a valuable resource for student and professional researchers in cognitive, social, and developmental psychology. Exploring The Psychology Of Interest Presents An Integrated Picture Of How Interest Has Been Studied In All The Wide-ranging Areas Of Psychology. Using Modern Theories Of Cognition And Emotion As An Integrative Framework, Paul Silvia Examines The Nature Of Interest, What Makes Things Interesting, The Role Of Interest In Personality, And The Development Of People's Idiosyncratic Interests, Hobbies, And Avocations. His Examination Reveals Deep Similarities Between Seemingly Different Fields Of Psychology And Illustrates The Profound Importance Of Interest, Curiosity, And Intrinsic Motivation For Understanding Why People Do What They Do. The Most Comprehensive Work Of Its Kind, Exploring The Psychology Of Interest Will Be A Valuable Resource For Student And Professional Researchers In Cognitive, Social, And Developmental Psychology.--jacket. Interest As An Emotion -- What Is Interesting? -- Interest And Learning -- Interest, Personality, And Individual Differences -- Interests And Motivational Development -- How Do Interests Develop? : Bridging Emotion And Personality -- Interests And Vocations -- Comparing Models Of Interest -- Conclusion : Looking Back, Looking Ahead. Paul J. Silvia. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 211-247) And Indexes. ## Abstract Psychologists have always been intrigued in interest, and modern research on interest can be found in nearly every area of the field: researchers studying emotions, cognition, development, education, aesthetics, personality, motivation, and vocations have developed intriguing ideas about what interest is and how it works. This book presents an integrated picture of how interest has been studied in all of the wide-ranging areas of psychology. Using modern theories of cognition and emotion as an integrative framework, it examines the nature of interest, what makes things interesting, the role of interest in personality, and the development of people's idiosyncratic interests, hobbies, and avocations. The examination reveals deep similarities between seemingly different fields of psychology and illustrates the profound importance of interest, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation for understanding why people do what they do. A comprehensive work devoted to interest, this book reviews the history of psychological thought on interest, presents classic and modern research, and suggests fruitful directions for future work. Interest is basic to an understanding of human motivation and behaviour. This text examines why some things interest us or provoke our curiosity