Helping Others Is Interesting! Developing and Sustaining Science Interest With Prosocial Utility Value in Textbooks

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

Abstract

We investigated whether including content that features prosocial utility connections in science textbooks can impart value, and in turn increase topic interest. Undergraduate students (N = 246) were randomly assigned to read a manipulated textbook chapter with either prosocial utility value information added, non-prosocial utility value added, or neutral information (akin to standard science textbooks). Results revealed that, compared to those who read a non-prosocial or neutral textbook, students who read a prosocial utility textbook reported greater topic interest, and this effect was mediated by the belief that the topic afforded opportunities to help others. The mediated effect was strongest for underrepresented minority students. This research points to simple and low cost ways of broadening participation in STEM.

Authors

• Jeanette Zambrano, San Diego State University

• Garam Ann Lee, San Diego State University

• Christina Curti, University of Rochester

• Dustin Thoman, San Diego State University