Why are Some Undergraduates More (and others Less) Interested in Psychological Research?

Abstract

Theorists consider student interest central to effective education, but undergraduates have varying interest in psychological research. We developed a measure of interest in psychological research and tested person-level predictors of interest in a sample of undergraduate psychology students (N = 139). Interest in psychological research was low to moderate, on average, with greater interest in relatively passive and low-commitment research activities. Predictors of greater interest in psychological research included personality (openness to experience), academic aptitude (higher ACT scores), perceived relevance of research to post- undergraduate activities, and plans to enter a PhD program. We discuss these results in the context of teaching strategies intended to improve psychological research education.