What is Interest?

Interest is a personal mindset that motivates an individual towards a particular task. Interest in a particular task generates eagerness in the individual to perform that task and results in feelings of joy and satisfaction.

Walter V Bingham, a pioneer in applied psychology, defines interest as:

“Interest is a tendency to become absorbed in an experience and to continue it, while an aversion is a tendency to turn away from it to something else.”

Interest can be both intrinsic and extrinsic. The difference between them is, extrinsic interest is associated with the goal of an activity, whereas intrinsic interest is associated with the activity itself. For example: A student may be interested in taking an art class because she wants to make good projects in school (extrinsic interest) but another student might want to take the same art class because she loves to draw or paint (intrinsic interest). Extrinsic interest gets over once the goal is achieved but intrinsic interest is more permanent as it is motivated by the joy of the activity itself.

Test Packages Offered

The tests have been combined into different packages for ease of use for different users. The tests can be taken individually as well. For ease of use for different users and to get relative inferences during one to one counselling.

Importance of Interest in Career Choices

Interest is one of the major factors that influence career choice along with aptitude, skill and personality. It can make the difference of ‘loving a job’ or ‘hating it’. When one is interested in a particular field or activity one is motivated to work hard in that area. Interest encourages the individual to explore more in that area and as a result come up with new ideas. Statistics show that the individuals who are interested in their field of work are usually more successful as their interest keeps them motivated and provides them a feeling of personal success and satisfaction.

A person who is disinterested in a particular field will never show an inclination towards knowing or learning more about that field on their own. Such individuals will never make for self-motivated and passionate employees. They will be more likely to give up or burn-out within a few years. Hence, it works in favor of the companies as well to hire people who are interested in their field. Hiring such individuals reduces attrition rate and saves them the cost of hiring and training new people every few years.

Measuring Interest

"Interest can be measured informally through introspection, self-affirmations (“I love to sing”, etc.) talking to friends and family, teachers and anyone who knows us well. This usually gives us an idea where our interest lies. The scientific way of quantifying interest or knowing for sure where our interest lies is through psychometric tests of interest which can be in the form of interest inventory etc. The result of these psychometric tests, most of the time, corroborate the result achieved through informal methods.

Psychometric test for interest tells us our broad areas of interest in a quantified manner for example: If a student says she is interested in science and technology and medicine and Defence Services, these tests can tell her which is her topmost area of interest out of the three. Then the second and then the third. This gives more clarity when we have more than one area of interest. "

FAQ's

(Frequently Asked Questions)

These psychometric tests are standardized tests which are designed to achieve that result.

Then you won’t get an authentic result.

A good way of finding an area that interests you is to explore many areas. Schools and colleges provide many opportunities to explore different areas like, arts, music, sports, public speaking, organizing etc. Try to explore as many areas as you can. Similarly for careers, read about different careers. If possible, talk to people (among friends and family) from different careers. Ask about their work, the skills needed, renumeration etc. Attend career fairs organized by your school, college or local administration to find out about new careers, new courses etc. Find something that interests you.

A good pay is definitely a motivation to work in that area. It is what we call an extrinsic interest. But if you find the area of work uninteresting then soon work starts to seem like a chore. Once you have achieved the high pay associated with the field there is no other motivation to continue. Most people tend to give up once their extrinsic goal (in this case a high pay) is achieved. Also, if you find a work boring, you can never give your 100% and that makes you a mediocre employee which adds to your inner dissatisfaction.

Yes, there is a very good chance of interest changing over a period of time. As one grows, gains more experience, explores more, ones interest change or one may pick up new interests.