DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF INTEREST IN INSTRUCTION

This contribution concerns itself with the fundamental questions of in terest development and the promotion of interest in instruction. Again st the background of the Person-Object-Theory of interest, the general characteristics of interest constructs were illustrated and findings on the alterability of(average) specific interests experienced by stud ents were presented. At the center of the theoretical deliberations st and the principles of a functional theory of interest genesis which ar e not only explained through the regularity of alterations due to deve lopment, but also on the basis of psychological mechanisms. A postulat ion is made that in addition to the cognitive-rational components of t he formation of intention, the qualities of experience gained through actions taken also plays a central role. Emotional experiences have a special significance with respect to the three ''fundamental psycholog ical needs'' for perception of competence, autonomy and social relatio nship.