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The Effect of Situational Interest on Study Time Investment in College Students

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Title: The Effect of Situational Interest on Study Time Investment in College Students
Language: English
Authors: Meimei Liu (ORCID 0000-0003-4781-782X), TuongVan Vu (ORCID 0000-0001-6700-2439), Nienke M. van Atteveldt, Martijn Meeter
Source: Educational Psychology. 2026 46(2):291-310.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: College Students, Study Habits, Time Factors (Learning), Problem Based Learning, Student Interests, Problem Solving, Student Behavior, Student Motivation, Proximity, Academic Achievement
DOI: 10.1080/01443410.2025.2580962
ISSN: 0144-3410
1469-5820
Abstract: Tutorial groups in higher education spark students' interest and promote independent study. But does an interesting problem lead students to invest time in their studies? This study examined whether students' interest in problems discussed in problem-based learning groups predicts their investment of study time. We followed 323 college students across three problem-based courses, assessing their interest in problems both prospectively (before solving) and retrospectively (after solving). Students also reported their independent study time per problem. Results showed that prospective and retrospective interest ratings were weakly correlated. Only retrospective interest predicted study time. Proximity to exams increased study time, but this effect did not interact with interest. These findings suggest that initial situational interest does not sustain effort. Instead, retrospective interest--shaped by students' experiences--better explains study time investment, highlighting the importance of maintaining interest over time rather than relying on initial curiosity.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502818
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: The Effect of Situational Interest on Study Time Investment in College Students
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  Data: English
– Name: Author
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Meimei+Liu%22">Meimei Liu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4781-782X">0000-0003-4781-782X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22TuongVan+Vu%22">TuongVan Vu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6700-2439">0000-0001-6700-2439</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nienke+M%2E+van+Atteveldt%22">Nienke M. van Atteveldt</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Martijn+Meeter%22">Martijn Meeter</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Educational+Psychology%22"><i>Educational Psychology</i></searchLink>. 2026 46(2):291-310.
– Name: Avail
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 20
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  Label: Publication Date
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Study+Habits%22">Study Habits</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Time+Factors+%28Learning%29%22">Time Factors (Learning)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+Based+Learning%22">Problem Based Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Interests%22">Student Interests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+Solving%22">Problem Solving</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Behavior%22">Student Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Motivation%22">Student Motivation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Proximity%22">Proximity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/01443410.2025.2580962
– Name: ISSN
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  Group: ISSN
  Data: 0144-3410<br />1469-5820
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Tutorial groups in higher education spark students' interest and promote independent study. But does an interesting problem lead students to invest time in their studies? This study examined whether students' interest in problems discussed in problem-based learning groups predicts their investment of study time. We followed 323 college students across three problem-based courses, assessing their interest in problems both prospectively (before solving) and retrospectively (after solving). Students also reported their independent study time per problem. Results showed that prospective and retrospective interest ratings were weakly correlated. Only retrospective interest predicted study time. Proximity to exams increased study time, but this effect did not interact with interest. These findings suggest that initial situational interest does not sustain effort. Instead, retrospective interest--shaped by students' experiences--better explains study time investment, highlighting the importance of maintaining interest over time rather than relying on initial curiosity.
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  Data: 2026
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  Label: Accession Number
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  Data: EJ1502818
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1502818
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/01443410.2025.2580962
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 20
        StartPage: 291
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Study Habits
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Time Factors (Learning)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Problem Based Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Interests
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      – SubjectFull: Problem Solving
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Motivation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Proximity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
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      – TitleFull: The Effect of Situational Interest on Study Time Investment in College Students
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              Y: 2026
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