Hidi and Renninger (2006) extended this idea by suggesting a four-phase model of
interest development. The first two phases (triggered situational interest and maintained
situational interest) are usually evoked by an external stimulus. Triggered situational
interest is a short-term change in interest, which can develop into maintained
situational interest if the individual continues to engage in the topic for an extended
episode. In the latter two phases (emerging individual interest and well-developed
individual interest), interest is usually self-generated with the individual seeking answers to their own questions and persisting despite difficulties.During the emerging
individual interest phase, an individual chooses to re-engage with a particular topic. If
this engagement continues over time, the individual is said to have a well-developed
individual interest. It is important to note that even at the individual interest stage,
a lack of proper support and opportunities to explore an interest can lead to regression
to a previous phase (Hidi & Renninger, 2006).