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Interest, motivation and learning: An educational-psychological perspective

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Abstract

Within the last few years, researchers have shown a renewed interest in “interest”. Especially in the field of educational psychology many studies have been conducted to analyze how learning and achievement are influenced by motivational and cognitive factors, which are connected with individual and/or situational interests. In this paper, results from empirical research will be presented besides theoretical considerations concerning the interest-construct. Interest has typically been studied as an independent variable. Dependent variables have been either some aspects of learning outcome (knowledge structure, academic achievement) or hypothetical mediators, which probably can be used to explain the interest effects (e.g., learning strategies, attention, emotional experiences). There is also a growing number of studies which try to explore the conditions of interest development within educational settings. Future lines of research will be discussed in light of the demands of educational theory and practice.

Résumé

Au cours des dernières années, la problématique de l'“intérêt” a connu un renouveau d'intérêt auprès des chercheurs. En psychologie de l'éducation, en particulier, beaucoup de travaux ont été effectués pour étudier comment l'apprentissage et la réussite scolaire sont influencés par des facteurs motivationnels et cognitifs en liaison avec des intérêts individuels et/ou situationnels. L'auteur présente des résultats de recherches empiriques à partir de considérations théoriques concernant le construct d'intérêt. L'intérêt a classiquement été étudié comme une variable indépendante, les variables dependantes étant, de leur côté, soit certains aspects des résultats de l'apprentissage (structure de connaissance, réussite scolaire), soit des médiateurs hypothétiques pouvant être invoques pour expliquer les effets de l'intérêt (par exemple, les stratégies d'apprentissage, l'attention, les réactions émotionnelles). Il y a aussi un nombre croissant d'études qui essaient d'explorer les conditions du développement de l'intérêt en environnement éducatif. Les perspectives de recherche à venir sont discutées par référence aux questions théoriques et pratiques posées par l'éducation.

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Krapp, A. Interest, motivation and learning: An educational-psychological perspective. Eur J Psychol Educ 14, 23–40 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03173109

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