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Category: Project

Description: Interest is an important motivational element for learning in the school environment. However, little research has directly addressed how interest develops over time as knowledge accumulates. To gain a better understanding of interest development, we developed a paradigm where participants gain step-by-step information about lesser known countries. After reading each piece of information, participants rated their interest in and liking of the country. Growth-curve modelling showed that interest grows during knowledge acquisition until it eventually stalls and starts to decline. We also found that the opportunity to choose information boosted the growth in interest and delayed its decline. Further analysis revealed that people disengaged with a country when their interest started to decrease.