ABSTRACT
The relationship between interest and learning was undoubtedly recognized by the first humans on earth, and it became a topic of scientific inquiry in the 19th century when philosophers recognized the close relationship between interest and learning. Numerous empirical studies have also demonstrated that individual interests have profound influences on learning, and developmental theorists have acknowledged the importance of interests. Albert and Runco state that it is primarily in those areas in which one takes a deep personal interest and has staked a salient aspect of one’s identity that the more individualized and creative components of one’s personality are energized. Research studies that have examined the long range effects of participation in programs based on the Enrichment Triad Model have indicated that the single best indicator of college majors and expressions of career choice on the part of young adults has been intensive involvement in self-selected projects based on early interests.
