Write at least one paragraph describing an example of situational interest from your own experience. Discuss how situational interest turned into individual interest.

Answer 1

Situational interest is generated by any particular condition or object in the environment. This involves focused attention and affective reaction that may or may not last for long, and is accompanied by positive

emotional tone. Experiencing situational interest may facilitate specific motivations to act. For example, a student who does not have any interest in science, watches a video that demonstrates how a dog and wolf can be cloned. The students reacts with surprise and a little concern. Here the interest gets triggered and attention is focused. The student might experience fascination mixed with some negative emotion driven by

apprehension over what might happen if humans are cloned. If the video does not further sustain these reactions, the student might stop watching them. On the other hand, if the content of the video presents further images or information, that engage the attention, the student will continue to watch it and the interest will be maintained, which is the psychological state of interest. The student will be interested in watching more related videos on cloning. The student will develop a high level of interest in this area involving close

association between the subject area and positive feeling and value related attributes, for example excitement. Individual interest is conceptualized as a relatively stable affective-evaluative orientation toward certain subject areas or objects. When an individual interest becomes activated like external cues, it also potentially affects the formation of specific motivations. The student might buy books related to the interest or keep watching more videos or documentary series or movies.

Individual experiences may vary. In a similar way, I read a book on gardening in college and now it has become my hobby. Please think about your personal experience and describe any area of your own interest.

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