Exploring the Psychology of Interest [Hardcover]

Paul J. Silvia (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195158555 | ISBN-13: 978-0195158557 | Publication Date: April 13, 2006

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 Interest presents 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 Interest will be a valuable resource for student and professional researchers in cognitive, social, and developmental psychology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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 plays a major role in shaping our lives. This book goes a long way toward documenting what I have long believed. Of all the emotions, interest has the greatest long-term impact across the life span."--Carroll E. Izard, PhD, Trustees Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Delaware

"Providing an exceptional critical examination of decades of theory and research, this book is a very significant contribution to our knowledge about the nature of interest and curiosity. The experience of interest is relevant to virtually every domain of human functioning including science, education, athletics, creativity, leisure, journalism, and politics. Thus, Silvia's thoughtful, scholarly, and provocative account of what is known about interest can appeal to those inside and outside of psychology."--Todd B. Kashdan, PhD, Department of Psychology, George Mason University

"Silvia has done a good critical job throughout in terms of demanding that researchers' models have sound theoretical basis...Ultimatley, this book is a pretty good breakdown of a very diverse literature."--Applied Cognitive Psychology

About the Author

Paul J. Silvia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research explores the emotion of interest, particularly what makes things interesting or boring. In his free time, he drinks coffee, pets Lia, his Bernese Mountain Dog, and writes books. He is always asked why he finds interest interesting, but he doesn't know. Exploring the Psychology of Interest is his second book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195158555
• ISBN-13: 978-0195158557
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,354,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul J. Silvia is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research explores the emotion of interest, particularly what makes things interesting or boring, and the psychology of aesthetics, creativity, and the arts.