Minority Language Learning and Use: Can Self-Determination Counter Social Determinism?

2021 ◽  
pp. 0261927X2110411
Author(s):  
Rodrigue Landry ◽  
Réal Allard ◽  
Kenneth Deveau ◽  
Sylvain St-Onge

To what extent is minority language use in society imposed by social determinism, a force acting on individuals based on the language group's relative vitality in terms of demography, institutional support, and status? Can social determinism be countered by the force of self-determination sustained by group members’ personal autonomy, critical consciousness, and strong engaged integrated identity? These questions are addressed by testing a revised Self-determination and ethnolinguistic development (SED) model, using structural equation modeling. This model specifies how three categories of language socialization (enculturation, personal autonomization, critical consciousness-raising) mediate between objective ethnolinguistic vitality (EV) and four psycholinguistic constructs (engaged integrated identity, community engagement, linguistic competencies, subjective EV) in the prediction of minority language use. Results on a large sample of French Canadian students in different EV settings strongly support the SED model and show that social determinism can be at least moderately countered by psycholinguistic constructs that increase individual self-determination.

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Tanveer Hussain Shah ◽  
Syed Mohsin Ali Shah ◽  
Junaid Athar Khan

A very important aspect of HRD research is Workplace Learning (WPL). WPL is very important considering its role in the development of skills and abilities of employees. Since employees are a crucial asset for organizations to achieve competitive advantage. Therefore, organizations must ensure continuous learning of their employees. This research was aimed at the investigation of the antecedent role of Psychological Empowerment (PE) for WPL. Using a quantitative approach, primary data was collected from 241 employees of 153 SMEs in Pakistan. Data was analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) by using PLS-SEM. The results of the study indicated that PE did play the role of an antecedent of WPL. Furthermore, Informal learning appeared as the most important form of WPL, followed by incidental and formal learning in SMEs in Pakistan. Keywords: Psychological empowerment; self-efficacy; workplace learning; self-determination; PLS-SEM.


Author(s):  
Aline Godfroid ◽  
Kathy MinHye Kim

Abstract This study addresses the role of domain-general mechanisms in second-language learning and knowledge using an individual differences approach. We examine the predictive validity of implicit-statistical learning aptitude for implicit second-language knowledge. Participants (n = 131) completed a battery of four aptitude measures and nine grammar tests. Structural equation modeling revealed that only the alternating serial reaction time task (a measure of implicit-statistical learning aptitude) significantly predicted learners’ performance on timed, accuracy-based language tests, but not their performance on reaction-time measures. These results inform ongoing debates about the nature of implicit knowledge in SLA: they lend support to the validity of timed, accuracy-based language tests as measures of implicit knowledge. Auditory and visual statistical learning were correlated with medium strength, while the remaining implicit-statistical learning aptitude measures were not correlated, highlighting the multicomponential nature of implicit-statistical learning aptitude and the corresponding need for a multitest approach to assess its different facets.


2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-262
Author(s):  
Jia Rung Wu ◽  
Jessica Brooks ◽  
Fong Chan ◽  
Kanako Iwanaga ◽  
Nicole Ditchman ◽  
...  

BackgroundResearch evidence supports the assertion that healthy employees are happier and more productive. Employers prefer to hire healthy workers to reduce absenteeism. Rehabilitation counselors have started to explore health promotion interventions to help individuals with chronic health conditions and disability improve their physical and mental health as a strategy to increase their employment opportunities.PurposeThe present study evaluated a self-determination theory (SDT) model of physical activity and exercise in a sample of 218 individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain using structural equation modeling.ResultsThe SDT model fit the data well, accounting for 54% of the variance in physical activity and exercise. Relatedness was significantly associated with autonomous motivation for physical activity and exercise. Autonomous motivation was associated with competency. Competency was associated with physical activity and exercise. Autonomous motivation and competency mediated relatedness and physical activity and exercise.ImplicationsThis study contributes to an emerging body of theory-informed health promotion literature and identifies the specific pathways that will increase the motivation to engage in physical activity and exercise. Findings can be used to design and validate theory-driven health promotion interventions as an employment strategy for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain receiving vocational rehabilitation services.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuangao Chen ◽  
Ruyi Dai ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Shuiqing Yang ◽  
Yixiao Li ◽  
...  

PurposeThis study adopts self-determination theory and stimulus-organism-response framework to develop a model that explores the motivations of such donors by considering their self-determination needs and extrinsic and intrinsic motivations.Design/methodology/approachBased on online survey data collected from 436 crowdfunding donors in China, this study follows a structural equation modeling analysis to test hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate that perceived ease of use, perceived self-efficacy and social connection have positive effects on the donation intentions of backers through a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic motivations.Originality/valueThe findings shed light on various extrinsic and intrinsic motivations advancing knowledge of individual fund motivation in donation-based crowdfunding and provide guidelines for the development of donation-based crowdfunding theory and practice.


2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Xie ◽  
Shu-Sha Angie Guan ◽  
David Boyns

The student recreation center (SRC) promotes quality of life among college students. Grounded in self-determination theory, this study examined the relationship between SRC use and subjective vitality using a sample of 540 students at a large state university in the United States. Results of structural equation modeling indicated that use of fitness and group sport facilities both had a positive relationship with subjective vitality, which were mediated by competence need satisfaction, relatedness need satisfaction, and perception of physical health. Implications of the study findings were discussed.


Author(s):  
Shigeo Yamamura ◽  
Rieko Takehira

Purpose: To establish a model of Japanese pharmacy students’ learning motivation profile and investigate the effects of pharmaceutical practical training programs on their learning motivation. Methods: The Science Motivation Questionnaire II was administered to pharmacy students in their 4th (before practical training), 5th (before practical training at clinical sites), and 6th (after all practical training) years of study at Josai International University in April, 2016. Factor analysis and multiple-group structural equation modeling were conducted for data analysis. Results: A total of 165 students participated. The learning motivation profile was modeled with 4 factors (intrinsic, career, self-determination, and grade motivation), and the most effective learning motivation was grade motivation. In the multiple-group analysis, the fit of the model with the data was acceptable, and the estimated mean value of the factor of ‘self-determination’ in the learning motivation profile increased after the practical training programs (P= 0.048, Cohen’s d= 0.43). Conclusion: Practical training programs in a 6-year course were effective for increasing learning motivation, based on ‘self-determination’ among Japanese pharmacy students. The results suggest that practical training programs are meaningful not only for providing clinical experience but also for raising learning motivation.


Author(s):  
Zahra Sharifi Feriz ◽  
Khalil Motallebzadeh ◽  
Ma'ssoumeh Bemani Naeini

The purpose of the present study is to examine home culture attachment construct and its underlying variables among Iranian English as Foreign Language learners as well as their attitudes towards English language learning. Pearson correlation is used with a sample of 411 English major university students from different provinces in Iran, mainly Khorasan Razavi, Khoran Jonoubi and Sistan Baluchestan participated in this study. As for the quantitative phase of data collection, the study employed home culture attachment and attitude towards English language learning questionnaires. The reliability and validity of these questionnaires are reported. A home culture attachment model and an attitude model are also developed and tested using structural equation modeling. The results suggest that all three subscales of attitudes (emotional, behavioral, and cognitive) are positive and significant predictors of students' western attachment. From three subscales of attitude, only behavioral attitude is negative and significant predictors of students' religious attachment. In addition, Iranian attachment is influenced by cognitive attitudes and emotional attitudes. Besides, cognitive attitude is a positive and significant predictor of students' cultural attachment. It is also found that, artistic attachment is influenced by behavioral attitudes and emotional attitudes. Finally, the pedagogical implications are discussed in light of foreign language achievement.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Leander Hughes ◽  
Stacey Vye ◽  
Debjani Ray

This study replicates research by Taguchi, Magid, and Papi (2009) regarding the L2 motivational self system, a framework for understanding second language learning motivation in terms of how learners view themselves as users of the second language (Dörnyei, 2005). The study was of 922 students at a national university in Japan who completed a questionnaire measuring 10 different L2 motivational and attitudinal factors. Correlation analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM) of the data supported the validity of the L2 motivational self system as a culture-independent explanation of the factors comprising L2 motivation. The differences that emerged in the strengths of relationships between factors for our sample compared to the Japanese sample in Taguchi et al. are postulated to be mainly due to differences between the two samples in their socioeconomic background and educational context. 本研究は、L2動機づけ自己システムに関する研究であるTaguchi, Magid, and Papi(2009)を追試したものである。L2動機づけ自己システムとは、第二言語学習における動機づけを、学習者が自分を第二言語使用者としてどのように見ているかという観点で理解するための枠組みである(Dörnyei, 2005)。本研究には日本の国立大学生922名が参加した。彼らはL2の動機づけ及び態度に関わる10個の異なる要因を測定するアンケートに回答した。相関分析と構造方程モデリング(SEM)を行った結果、L2動機づけの要因が文化的要因と独立したものであるとするL2動機づけ自己システムの妥当性が支持された。本研究とTaguchiらの研究で要因間の関係の強さに違いが生じたのは、主に社会経済的環境及び教育環境の違いが原因だと思われる。


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Thuy Lan ◽  
Nguyen Thuy Nga

Among various factors influencing foreign language learning, learners’ perception of a high-stakes language test plays a crucial part, especially when the test serves as a threshold for their university graduation.  In this study, the researcher tested a washback effect model by focusing on test-takers’ perception of the high-stakes test VSTEP in terms of test familiarity, test difficulty and test importance. On a sample of 751 Vietnamese learners of English at Vietnam National University, structural equation model was employed to validate the conceptual model. The analytical methods of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used for analysis. Our empirical findings revealed that VSTEP seems to have had a pervasive impact on the participating students. Senior students’ evaluations of VSTEP acted as the largest factor in constituting the participants’ perception of VSTEP. There are positive links between test pressure and test familiarity with students' goal setting and study planning as well as their selection of learning content and materials. Meanwhile, the pressure from the test had no effect on students’ seeking opportunities to practice with foreigners, and test familiarity did not influence students’ choice of study methods and exam preparing strategies. The emerging patterns from the data also suggested that participating students preferred test-oriented learning content and activities at the cost of interactive English practices for real-life purposes.


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