Subject matter attributes and study interests in post-secondary education

MBA students rated their interests in eight subject areas and evaluated them in several aspects, such as logical appeal and contribution of perceived competence in a subject area due to self esteem. Affective reactions to the areas, and attitudes to grading and to surface vs depth learning were also measured. Interest was most strongly related to logical appeal of the subject area. LISREL modelling of the structure of the relationships showed that logical appeal, being intimately related to the contribution of competence to self esteem, occupied a central position. Interest was determined by several variables but had no further consequences in the model. Students who expressed a depth orientation to their work were more positive generally, more interested and invested more effort in their work.