Disentangling the effects of interest and choice on learning, engagement, and attitude

• The effects of interest and choice on learning, engagement, and attitude
• Situational interest is the primary motivator.
• Situational interest direct/indirect effects on learning, engagement, attitude
• Topic interest direct effect situational interest, indirect effect engagement
• Choice had direct effect on attitude.

The importance of interest and choice in motivation and learning has been the central focus of much educational and psychological research. The goal of this study was to examine the impact of choice and topic and situational interest on learning, engagement, and attitudes. Ninety undergraduate college students were randomly assigned to Choice-High Interest, No Choice-High Interest, or No Choice-Low Interest conditions, and completed reading tasks, multiple choice tests, essays, measures of situational interest, and attitude. Hypotheses were tested using path analysis. Results indicate that situational interest had strong direct and indirect effects on learning, engagement, and attitude. Topic interest had a direct effect on situational interest and indirect effect on engagement through situational interest. Choice, although having a direct effect on attitude, had no effect on situational interest, learning, or engagement. Findings confirmed the primary role of situational interest in enhancing engagement and learning, as well as positive attitudes. Topic interest appeared to work through its impact on increasing or decreasing situational interest rather than by having its own independent motivational effects. Choice made students feel more positive, but it did not produce more engagement, personal connection to the material, or learning. Implications for teaching are discussed.