Chapter 3: The Development of Interest and Self-Related Processing

Usually people talk about interest at the level of the individual. Interest can also be shared, developed, and studied at the level of a group, and when it is, its properties have many of the same characteristics as interest that is studied at the level of the individual (e.g., Cobb & Hodge, 2003; Ito et al., 2010; Nolen, 2007; Pressick-Kilborn & Walker, 2002). Here, we focus specifically on the individual and interest that exists and is supported to develop in relation to the environment, and self-related processing.¹

Consider the following questions:

• Do I need to do it?

• Do I want to do it?

• Can I do it?