The roles of ability, personality, and interests in acquiring current events knowledge: A longitudinal study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate sources of inter-individual differences in current events knowledge. The study occurred in two sessions. In the initial session, 579 participants completed tests to ability, personality, and interest factors, as well as prior knowledge of current events. Approximately 10 weeks later, participants completed tests to assess new knowledge of current events, acquired since the initial session. Structural equation modeling revealed positive effects of both ability and non-ability factors on prior knowledge, and in turn, a large positive effect of prior knowledge on new knowledge. Results are interpreted in the context of theories of human intelligence that integrate ability and non-ability traits.