Describing characteristics of group-level directed motivational currents in EFL contexts

Abstract

Directed Motivational Currents (DMCs) refer to periods of intense and enduring motivation in quest for a well-defined target goal or vision (Henry, Davydenko, & Dörnyei, 2015). This study used a qualitative methodology to examine group-level DMCs among English as Foreign Language (EFL) learners at a university level. To this end, a systematic methodology was used to identify individuals who experienced a DMC-type motivation. This resulted in identifying three groups with group-level DMC experience (N for all groups = 8, 6 female and 2 male). In-depth interviews were conducted with all members of the three groups. The results of qualitative data analysis indicated that the three key features of DMCs (goal-orientedness, salient structure, and positive emotionality) existed in participants’ collective motivation experience. Moreover, the results indicated that characteristics such as high responsibility, unity and coherence, collective efficacy, entitativity, attractiveness, and contagious motivation and emotions propelled energy and motivation in group-level DMCs. The implications of the study for researchers and teachers are presented. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature.