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Towards an Understanding of Interest Development: Challenges and Opportunities for Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2016

Raymond Lynch
Raymond Lynch*
Affiliation:
Department of Education and Professional Studies, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Ireland
*
address for correspondence: Raymond Lynch, Department of Education and Professional Studies, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick, Ireland. Email: Raymond.Lynch@ul.ie
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Abstract

Many studies have examined the psychology of interest and interest development, with these studies spanning various fields such as educational psychology, personality development, and vocational guidance. However, the pragmatic benefit of being able to accurately measure interests has often overshadowed the broader potential benefits of research into interest development. Drawing from research across different fields, this article summarises the historical evolution of research into interest development, culminating with the four-phase model of interest development as advanced by Hidi and Renninger (2006). It proceeds to examine the impact of this research on the work of psychologists and counsellors in schools. Finally, this article concludes by problematising the current dominance of assessment services and the use of interest inventories, while exploring potential opportunities to better support student engagement through a broader understanding of interest development.

Keywords

psychology of interestinterest developmentstudent engagement
Type
Review of the Literature
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 27 , Issue 2 , December 2017 , pp. 208 - 221
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2016 

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