Blog Post #2: Inquiry Project Plan – Ihan

Hello again! My name is Ihan and my inquiry question for this semester is “How do our passions shape who we are and influence the choices we make?”. In order to answer this question, here is what I will do:

Research #1: Understanding What Passion Is and Where It Comes From. In this post, I’m going to figure out what “passion” actually is. We all use the word a lot — “Follow your passion,” “Find your passion” — but what does it really mean? Is it just something we enjoy, or does it go deeper than that?

I’ll be exploring how psychologists and researchers define passion, and where it comes from. Are we born with it, or does it develop over time through our experiences and reflections? By learning about the science behind passion, I hope to better understand how it connects to our identity and why it plays such a big role in shaping who we are.

This first step is all about building a foundation. Before I can figure out how passion affects our choices, I need to understand what it is and why it’s such a powerful part of being human.

Research #2: Exploring How Passions Shape Life Decisions (Education, Career, Relationships). In this round of research, I’ll look at real-life examples — from people who followed their passions and ended up changing their lives, to others who may have struggled or sacrificed something because of their deep interests. I’ll explore how passion affects decisions related to school, careers, relationships, and even where people choose to live.

This part of my research matters because I’m at a point in my life where I’m starting to make bigger decisions, and I want to understand how my passions might guide me — or even mislead me. I think a lot of people in my community might relate to this too.

Research #3: Applying Passion to Personal Growth and Community Impact. For the third round of research, I want to reflect on how passion not only shapes who we are, but how we can use it to grow personally and help others.

Once we understand what drives us, we can start using our passions to set goals, stay motivated, and even give back to the community. I’ll explore ways people have turned their passions into meaningful actions — through creativity, volunteering, activism, or leadership.

I’ll also think about how I can do the same in my own life. I believe that when we’re connected to what we care about most, we become stronger, more confident, and more likely to create positive change around us. That’s the kind of person I want to become and I think passion plays a big role in getting there.

These are some of the sources I plan to use in order to answer my question:

1. The Psychology of Passion: A Dualistic Model by Robert J. Vallerand (Oxford University P)
2. TED Talks: “The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth
3. Breu, A. & Yasseri, T. (2023). “What drives passion? An empirical examination on the impact of personality trait interactions and job environments on work passion.” Current Psychology.
4. Should you pursue your passion as a career? Cultural differences in the emphasis on passion in career decisions by Paul A. O’Keefe et al., Journal of Organizational Behavior (2021).
5. Interviews/Biographies of Influential People (Malala Yousafzai) & Interviews/Biographies of Influential People (Michael Jordan)

This question is important for both me and my community because it challenges me to think about what truly drives me and how that affects the direction of my life. When I reflect on my passions – the things that excite me and inspire me, I begin to understand why I make certain choices. Whether it’s choosing what to study, who I surround myself with, or what causes I support, my passions play a big role in shaping who I am and the path I take. At the same time, the way I act on my passions can influence those around me. If I care deeply about something and choose to take action — like volunteering, creating something meaningful, or speaking out about issues that matter — it may inspire others to do the same. This way, my passions don’t just shape my own identity; they also impact my community by contributing to a culture of purpose, motivation, and positive change.

Thank you for reading my blog post. I hope to see you again next time.