While a person's "interest" is recognized as important in seeking information about science, few studies have investigated what people mean when they say they are interested in a science story or have investigated the effects of that interest on memory for science information. Two studies tested several hypotheses on two components of…

This survey drew on a variety of national surveys and book industry publication and sales statistics to examine the number and kinds of people reading fiction, poetry, and drama. The survey used data from three different national surveys of readers conducted in the mid-1980s and including over 30,000 subjects to conclude that while literature…

The hypothesis that the VPI and WVI are measuring the same domain based on theoretical similarities was tested using 195 male freshperson students. The data were analyzed by correlational technique including discriminant analysis. The results allow for the interpretation that the VPI and WVI are in fact measuring two distinctive domains. (Author)

Profiles of adult Americans' attitudes toward second languages and second language study were gathered by means of oral interviews conducted across the country, resulting in 64 viewpoints from 13 states. Results are reported through quotations from the statements of subjects. General benefits of language study were perceived to be increased global…

THIS STUDY WAS AIMED AT (1) DISCOVERING THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF OLDER PERSONS, (2) DETERMINING WHICH OF THESE NEEDS COULD BEST BE SERVED BY ACTIVITIES HELD ON A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, OFFERED IN A NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, OR BROADCAST OVER RADIO OR TV, AND (3) IDENTIFYING PERSONS IN THE OLDER POPULATION WHO COULD ACT AS RESOURCES IN TEACHING CLASSES OR…

Conditions are examined under which the imposition of an extrinsic constraint upon performance of an activity can lead to decrements in creativity. Female college students worked on an art activity either with or without the expectation of external evaluation. In addition, subjects were asked to focus upon either the creative or the technical…

The author's observation that interest inventories of church-related occupations were not very helpful provided the motivation to develop the Inventory of Religious Activities and Interest Inventory (IRAI). He describes the item and scale identification process which utilized a factor analysis: (1) to identify the number of independent dimensions…

Examined student personality patterns and concluded that they give considerable indication as to whether a student is likely to specialize in an art-related or a science-related academic field. Findings were that student science groups and student art groups showed a similar thing-person orientation, in contrast to adult science and art groups.…

The publishers of 11 popular interest inventories were surveyed for steps taken or planned to eliminate sex bias from their instruments. It is concluded that a concern first formulated at the level of popular opinion has been translated into professional action, public policy, and actual observable change. (Author)

Relates research done with three strategies to create "text-based interest" (how interesting a text is) in order to improve children's recall of expository texts used in schools. While some of the strategies increased subjective interest, none significantly improved recall. (SR)

Presents a short review of recent applications of the concept of interest in education and educational psychology. With reference to a systematic differentiation of problems and issues of pedagogically oriented research, the authors present a general concept of interest which forms the basis for a theory of the "modus operandi" of…

Reports the results of a longitudinal study of interests among 12 kindergarten children. Investigated the development and maintenance of person-object interests. (Author/JDH)

The pattern of correlates in this study suggests differential contributions of mothers and fathers to the interests of their children. Parent-child similarities were found to be influenced both by the particular Holland interest style being examined as well as by the child's sex. Revision and extension of Holland's model is suggested. (GO)

Reports that survey respondents expressed no preference for either male or female newscasters on local television news shows, and that their interest was highest for stories about the economy and being wise consumers. (FL)

Perceived risk, defined as a multidimensional psychological phenomenon which influences individuals' decisions, was measured in 68 adults for 20 leisure activities. Overall risk and six component factors of risk associated with leisure are analyzed: (1) financial; (2) performance; (3) physical; (4) psychological; (5) social; and (6) time loss. (FG)