Predicting Transformative Experience: Role of Personality and Interest

• In Event: 14.044 - Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: 14.044-14 - How Interesting! Students' Motivation and Interest in Context

Abstract

Transformative experience represents a deep-engagement construct and refers to experiences in which students use curricular content to see and experience the world in meaningful new ways outside the classroom. The current study investigated personality traits and interest as predictors of transformative experiences in a college psychology course. Maintained, but not triggered, situational interest was a significant predictor. The personality trait of openness was also a significant predictor and this relationship was fully mediated by maintained situational interest. Thus, students scoring higher on openness are likely to develop more maintained situational interest and undergo deeper transformative experiences. Although a trait, teachers may support openness by creating an environment conducive of exploration. They can also directly support maintained situational interest.

Authors

• Sarah Geiger, Andrews University

• Kevin J. Pugh, University of Northern Colorado

• Maha BenSalem, University of Northern Colorado