The Interest Development of Individuals Across Academic Domains

• In Event: The Model of Domain Learning: Understanding the Development of Expertise

Abstract

The development of interest as one progresses from novice to expertise is a fascinating journey, fraught with impediments and advantages. One of the first to trace this journey within individuals, Alexander (1997) theorized how the seeds of interest are manifested as these individuals enter a domain or field of study, how interest is caught and maintained as individuals progress through this domain, and how interest is embraced as one progresses toward expertise. This paper honors Alexander’s early research, and furthers this research by examining current theories of interest development (Hidi & Renninger, 2015). The nature of interest, facets of interest, and the interplay of interest with other critical variables, such as attention, knowledge, and curiosity are discussed in light of interest development within academic domains.

Author

• Tamara L. Jetton, Central Michigan University