Quick answer: In psychology, interest means both a state of focused, engaged attention on something and a lasting tendency to come back to it over time. Psychologists describe two types: situational interest, sparked by the moment, and individual interest, a stable personal passion. Many researchers also classify interest as an emotion, sometimes called a “knowledge emotion”.
We use the word “interest” casually every day, but in psychology it has a specific meaning. It has been studied as a driver of attention, learning and motivation for more than a century, and it is closely related to, but not the same as, curiosity.
The meaning of interest in psychology
Educational psychologists Suzanne Hidi and K. Ann Renninger describe interest as a psychological state of engagement with particular content, together with a predisposition to re-engage with that content over time. In simple terms, interest is:
- Focused attention: you notice and concentrate on the topic.
- Positive feeling: engaging with it feels rewarding.
- Value and knowledge: over time, you learn more about it and care about it.
- A pull to return: you choose to come back to it without being told.
The two types of interest
| Situational interest | Individual interest | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Interest sparked by something in the environment | A lasting personal interest in a topic |
| How long it lasts | Often short-lived | Stable over months or years |
| Where it comes from | Novelty, surprise, a vivid story, a hands-on activity | Repeated positive experiences, knowledge and personal value |
| Example | A striking volcano video grabs your attention in class | You read about volcanoes for fun and plan trips to see them |
The four phases of interest development
Hidi and Renninger’s four-phase model explains how a passing spark can grow into a lifelong interest:
- Triggered situational interest: something catches your attention.
- Maintained situational interest: your attention is held over time, often because the activity feels meaningful.
- Emerging individual interest: you start returning to the topic by yourself and asking your own questions.
- Well-developed individual interest: the topic becomes part of who you are, backed by deep knowledge and value.
Is interest an emotion?
Many psychologists say yes. Emotion theorists such as Silvan Tomkins and Carroll Izard listed interest (or “interest-excitement”) among the basic human emotions. Psychologist Paul Silvia describes interest as a “knowledge emotion” that motivates learning and exploration.
According to Silvia’s research, you tend to feel interest when two things are true:
- Something seems new, complex or unexpected.
- You feel able to understand it. If it seems impossible to make sense of, you are more likely to feel confused than interested.
Interest vs curiosity vs enjoyment
- Curiosity is a desire to close a specific gap in your knowledge, such as “how does this end?” Read more: curiosity vs interest.
- Interest is an engaged attraction to a topic, which can last long after a single question is answered.
- Enjoyment is a pleasant feeling that often comes from familiar, easy activities, while interest tends to come from things that are new and a little challenging.
Why interest matters
Research links interest to closer attention, longer persistence and deeper learning. Students who are interested in a subject tend to use better study strategies and remember more. Interest also shapes careers and hobbies, and it is a powerful form of intrinsic motivation.
How to develop interest in something
- Start with a spark: find a surprising fact, story or hands-on activity related to the topic.
- Connect it to your life: interest grows when a topic feels personally relevant.
- Build knowledge: the more you know, the more you notice, which makes it more interesting.
- Keep it challenging but doable: too easy is boring, too hard is confusing.
- Choose for yourself: a sense of choice and control helps interest last.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of interest in psychology?
It is a state of focused, positive engagement with a topic, plus a tendency to return to that topic over time.
What are the types of interest in psychology?
Situational interest, which is sparked by the environment, and individual interest, which is a lasting personal interest. The four-phase model describes how one can grow into the other.
Is interest a feeling or a motivation?
Both. Interest includes a positive feeling, and many researchers treat it as an emotion, but it also motivates you to pay attention, explore and learn.
What is the difference between being curious and being interested?
Curiosity is wanting to know something specific right now. Interest is a broader, often longer-lasting attraction to a whole topic.
Related articles
- Curiosity vs interest: what’s the difference?
- What is curiosity?
- Curiosity and motivation
- Curiosity and learning
Sources
- Hidi, S. & Renninger, K. A. (2006). “The four-phase model of interest development.” Educational Psychologist. doi:10.1207/s15326985ep4102_4
- Silvia, P. J. (2008). “Interest: The curious emotion.” Current Directions in Psychological Science. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00548.x
- Renninger, K. A. & Hidi, S. E. (2016). The Power of Interest for Motivation and Engagement. Routledge.
- Izard, C. E. (1977). Human Emotions. Plenum Press.