Exploring the Psychology of Interest [Hardcover]

Psychologists have always been interested in interest, and so modern research on interest can be found in nearly every area of the field: Researchers studying emotions, cognition, development, education, aesthetics, personality, motivation, and vocations have developed intriguing ideas about what interest is and how it works.Exploring the Psychology of Interestpresents an integrated picture of how interest has been studied in all the wide-ranging areas of psychology. Using modern theories of cognition and emotion as an integrative framework, Paul Silvia examines the nature of interest, what makes things interesting, the role of interest in personality, and the development of peoples idiosyncratic interests, hobbies, and avocations. His examination reveals deep similarities between seemingly different fields of psychology and illustrates the profound importance of interest, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation for understanding why people do what they do. The most comprehensive work of its kind,Exploring the Psychology of Interestwill be a valuable resource for student and professional researchers in cognitive, social, and developmental psychology.

Preface
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
PART 1: Interest and Emotion
2. Interest as an Emotion
3. What is Interesting?
4. Interest and Learning
PART 2: Interests and Personality
5. Interest, Personality, and Individual-Differences
6. Interests and Motivational Development
7. How do Interests Develop? Bridging Emotion and Personality
8. Interests and Vocations
9. Comparing Models of Interest
10. Conclusion: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
References
Author Index
Subject Index

Anyone interested in emotions will find this book on the emotion of interest immensely interesting! If you are among those who question the status of interest as an emotion, this book will convince you. This very real emotion not only exists, but also pllsª