Beyond Situational-Individual Distinctions: The Multidimensional Structure of Interest

• In Event: Millennium Hotel Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: Advances in Interest Research

Abstract

Traditionally interest research has focused on situational and individual interest separately, but more recently these two manifestations of interest have been implemented in developmental models. However, it is unclear whether interest is indeed one homogeneous construct that increases as a whole over time. This study assesses this structure of interest using six dimensions of interest. Using a smartphone application, we prompted 94 adolescents to rate each interest they experienced during two weeks on the dimensions. A confirmatory factor analysis and latent profile analysis showed distinct multidimensional patterns, indicating both a homogeneous and heterogeneous structure of interest. These results endorse the complexity of the construct of interest and stress the importance of investigating interest as a multidimensional construct beyond current typologies.

Authors

• Jael Marjan Draijer, ICLON-Leiden University

• Sanne Akkerman, Leiden University

• Arthur Bakker, Utrecht University

• Esther Slot, Leiden University