As the world becomes more and more interdisciplinary, different interests can help people make important connections across different fields, such as between the arts and the sciences. A new study suggests that one's belief about the nature of interests may prevent those insights from happening. Those who subscribe to a "fixed theory" of interest tend to see it as something that's already there that can simply be found. Therefore, they are unlikely to overlook the interests they already have. In contrast, those with a “growth theory” tend to believe that interests can be developed and cultivated. The general advice to “find your passion” supports a fixed theory and can ultimately be limiting.
In five studies, the team showed that, compared to a growth theory, a fixed theory makes people less receptive to topics that lie outside their existing interests. For example, in one study, the researchers recruited students with a vested interest in the arts or sciences. They then had the students read two academic articles, one that appealed to each of the two academic areas. Those leading to a fixed theory, compared to a growth theory, reported less interest in the article outside of their established interest.
The researchers also found that fixed and growth theories influence a person's motives for pursuing their interests and passions. In one study, the researchers sparked student interest in astrophysics by having them watch a fun, animated video on the topic. The participants then read a challenging academic article on the same topic. Those with a fixed theory reported that they lost more interest in the subject once they got involved, compared to those with a growth theory. This is because people with a fixed theory expect that pursuing a newly discovered interest will be relatively easy and may give up when joining becomes difficult. They may come to believe it wasn't really interested after all.
Instead of finding your passion, the researchers suggest that people should develop their passion.
