成长型语言思维模式与二语坚毅的关系研究综述
A Review of the Relationship between Growth Language Mindset and L2 Grit
摘要: 在积极心理学浪潮席卷至外语学习领域后,二语坚毅的相关研究备受关注。其中,成长型语言思维被视为其关键影响变量。因此,本研究首先梳理了两个变量的概念、测量工具演进及研究现状,证实二者存在关联,同时指出当前研究仍存在领域特异性量表应用不足、变量间整体互动机制匮乏、研究语境局限等问题。本研究旨在为未来相关实证研究的进一步发展搭建基础框架,并推动成长型语言思维与二语坚毅在外语教育中的应用。
Abstract: After the wave of positive psychology swept into the field of foreign language education, research on L2 grit has attracted attention. Growth language mindset is regarded as an important influencing variable. Therefore, this study reviewed the concepts, measuring instrument, and research status of growth language mindset and L2 grit. This study also pointed out that current research is still limited in following aspects: insufficient application of domain-specific scales, lack of overall interactions between the two variables, and limitations in research context. This study aims to build a basic framework for further research, and promote the application of the growth language mindset and L2 grit in foreign language education.
文章引用:戴延晶. 成长型语言思维模式与二语坚毅的关系研究综述[J]. 现代语言学, 2026, 14(3): 543-547. https://doi.org/10.12677/ml.2026.143253

1. 引言

近几十年来,积极心理学的浪潮已经席卷到外语教育领域,越来越多的二语习得研究者投入到个体情绪、语言观念及性格特质如何影响语言学习过程的研究中。而在其中,二语坚毅(L2 Grit)受到了重点关注。坚毅指的是“个体对长期目标持有的坚持与热情”[1],它由两个关键部分组成:努力的持续性(Perseverance of effort)和兴趣的一致性(Consistency of interest)。通过采用细化至语言学习领域的量表[2],目前已有大量的研究探讨了二语坚毅所带来的积极成果,如二语学习成就[3]、二语交流意愿[4]。然而,关于影响二语坚毅因素的研究仍十分有限[5]。成长型语言思维模式(Growth language mindset)作为一种关于语言的认知观念,在近年来受到了不少研究者的关注。已有研究人员指出,成长型语言思维模式可能在二语坚毅的形成过程中起着关键作用[6]

因此,本研究将从概念界定与测量工具、研究现状、当前研究不足三个方面出发,梳理成长型语言思维模式与二语坚毅关系研究的情况,为后续进一步的研究奠定基础。

2. 概念界定与测量工具

2.1. 成长型语言思维模式

思维是指个体对自身特质的看法[7]。在早期的研究中,研究者们常认为思维是普遍适用于各个领域的。然而,随着有关思维的研究日益丰富,研究者开始意识到思维可以在特定领域中形成,如管理学、教育学、艺术学等等。在外语研究领域,研究者们也开展了丰富的探索。首先,基于Dweck的思维框架[8],Ryan和Mercer提出了思维在语言领域的概念化,及其测量量表的改进[9];其次,Lou和Noels提出了语言思维模式(Language mindset)这一概念,并介绍了语言思维模式包含通用语言智力信念(General language belief)、二语天赋信念(Second language aptitude belief)和语言学习年龄敏感性信念(age sensitivity beliefs about language learning)三个方面[10]。拥有成长型语言思维模式的个体认为他们的语言能力是可以改进的,会在学习过程中投入大量的努力、将失败视为宝贵的学习机会,并采用自我调节的学习策略。同时,Lou和Noels开发了语言思维模式量表(Language mindset inventory),可以从通用语言智力信念、二语天赋信念和语言学习年龄敏感性信念三个维度分别进行测量,为语言学习领域思维的测量提供了更为准确的测量方式[10]。最后,与成长型语言思维模式有关的实证研究也在近几年呈现井喷式的爆发,研究者们证实了成长型语言思维模式与语言成就[11]、投入度[12]、无聊[13]等变量间的关系。

2.2. 二语坚毅

坚毅是一个包含“努力的持续性”和“兴趣的一致性”两个维度的个体特质。努力的持续性强调的是“努力”,突出了长时间保持努力的能力;而兴趣的一致性则侧重于“兴趣”,强调个体面临挫折时仍可以保持对长期目标的热情[14]。基于这一概念结构,Duckworth等人提出了可在各个领域使用的通用坚毅量表(Grit-O) [1]。为了解决这Grit-O量表未能证明双因素对各个结果的差异预测效度,Duckworth和Quinn开发了更为简短的Grit-S量表[14],这一量表也在后续的研究中被广泛使用。尽管Grit-S量表无论从题项数量和测量学两个维度上的表现都要优于Grit-O量表,但随着其应用数量的增加,有研究者指出Grit-S量表仅在“努力的持续性”这一维度上具有测量意义[15]

随着与坚毅相关研究在各个领域的兴起,外语学者们开始在二语学习的背景下研究坚毅的作用。在外语学习研究中,研究者们大多使用了Grit-S量表。举例来说,Changlek和Palanukulwong探讨了泰国英语学习者的动机、焦虑和坚毅等心理因素对成就感的影响。研究结果表明,在高成就者中,动机和坚毅之间存在显著的正相关关系[16]。此外,Kramer等人研究了坚毅对日本大学英语学习者每周词汇测验成绩和广泛阅读量的影响[17];Banse和Palacios将坚毅与拉丁裔英语学习者的语言成就[18]。最后,Lee和Drajati研究了坚毅与交流意愿之间的积极关系[19]

3. 研究现状与不足之处

有关成长型语言思维模式的积极作用已经得到了充分的证明,如工作满意度、投入感、学业成绩等等。然而,这些研究很少涉及个体的个性特征,如二语坚毅。从理论层面来看,学习者的成长型思维模式可以帮助他们克服障碍,从而有助于他们在学习过程中保持毅力[20]。因此,具有成长型思维模式的学生在学业方面会表现出更显著的坚毅。目前,已有数项实证研究证明了这一积极关系[21]-[26]。但现有的研究仍存在许多不足之处。

  • 现有的研究忽略了两个变量的领域特异性。在部分外语研究者们开始把成长型思维和坚毅放置在外语学习的语境下研究后,越来越多后续的研究者们给予这两个概念具有领域特定性的解释,并开发了测量量表[2] [10]。后续的对比测试也证明了针对第二语言学习的特定量表优于一般性的量表[10] [27],这凸显了在进行这些实证研究时采用领域特异性量表的重要性。然而,目前大部分的研究采用的都是一般性的量表[21] [25],这不利于研究者获取成长型语言思维和二语坚毅的真实效应。

  • 现有的研究并未充分考虑到成长型语言思维和二语坚毅在一个完整体系内运作的可能性。在几项涉及成长型语言思维对二语坚毅影响力的研究中,二语坚毅充当了成长型语言思维与其他变量的中介,如外语学业成绩[22] [25]、学业投入[23]、二语交际意愿[26]等等。然而,成长型语言思维对二语坚毅的影响力,特别是间接影响,即两者间的关系是否受到其余变量的中介作用或调节作用,目前仍然缺乏充分的解释。

  • 现有的研究在研究语境层面上仍具有局限性。Heine和Rattan [28] [29]等学者曾指出,个体所具有的思维潜力受到文化的深刻影响。Lous和Noels [10]也进一步指出了相比起其他国家,东亚国家的成长型思维体系更为普遍。尽管东亚地区在某些文化上存在共性,但在教育体制和社会竞争压力等方面仍存在较大差异,因此在探究思维潜力时不能将其一概而论。此外,中国文化历来强调个体对坚强意志的培养与磨练,为中国学习者坚毅品质的探究提供了土壤。但是,现有的研究大多是在伊朗、沙特等国开展的[21] [23] [25],缺乏对其他文化语境下外语学习者的研究。尽管有部分研究者关注到了中国的外语学习者,但其中的学习者大部分来自中国的西部地区[24] [26]。由于成长型思维模式受到社会经济状况的影响[30],局限在西部地区的研究不利于对中国英语学习者整体的理解。

4. 研究展望

针对当前研究的局限,未来的研究可以从以下角度进一步改善。首先,考虑到成长型思维和坚毅均具有领域特异性,在未来的研究中,有必要在特定语言学习的框架内采用外语学习领域的测量量表对成长型思维模式和坚毅进行研究。其次,未来的实证研究需要深入考察二者关系间的中介与调节路径,如探索认知、情绪、环境如何让成长型思维更有效地支持坚毅品质的培养。最后,由于成长型语言思维和坚毅能够随着年龄的增长而增强[1] [24],一方面,可以在不同教育阶段分别研究成长型语言思维与二语坚毅之间的关系;另一方面,未来研究可以针对个体开展追踪研究,捕捉一定周期内成长型思维对坚毅的动态影响。总而言之,在那些很少被关注的语境、外语学习者和教育背景中开展更多的实证研究,有利于更加全面理解成长型语言思维和二语坚毅之间的关系。

5. 结语

成长型语言思维与二语坚毅间关系的研究,是积极心理学在外语教育研究领域的深化实践。未来研究的推进,既能丰富相关理论体系,也能为外语教育实践提供指导。因此,本研究梳理了当前研究现状、不足之处和展望,期望更多研究者围绕上述方向开展进一步的研究。

参考文献

[1] Duckworth, A.L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M.D. and Kelly, D.R. (2007) Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 1087-1101. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
[2] Teimouri, Y., Plonsky, L. and Tabandeh, F. (2020) L2 Grit: Passion and Perseverance for Second-Language Learning. Language Teaching Research, 26, 893-918. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[3] Fathi, J. and Hejazi, S.Y. (2023) Ideal L2 Self and Foreign Language Achievement: The Mediating Roles of L2 Grit and Foreign Language Enjoyment. Current Psychology, 43, 10606-10620. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[4] Bensalem, E., Thompson, A.S. and Alenazi, F. (2023) The Role of Grit and Enjoyment in EFL Learners’ Willingness to Communicate in Saudi Arabia and Morocco: A Cross-Cultural Study. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 46, 749-764. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[5] Yang, Y., Cui, Y. and Yao, S. (2024) Teacher Support, Grit and L2 Willingness to Communicate: The Mediating Effect of Foreign Language Enjoyment. BMC Psychology, 12, Article No. 383. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
[6] 刘宏刚, 方帆, 滕蕊. 二语“坚毅”研究: 综述与前瞻[J]. 外语研究, 2021, 38(5): 50-54+112.
[7] Dweck, C.S. and Leggett, E.L. (1988) A Social-Cognitive Approach to Motivation and Personality. Psychological Review, 95, 256-273. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[8] Dweck, C.S. (1999) Self-Theories: Their Role in Motivation, Personality, and Development. Psychology Press.
[9] Ryan, S. and Mercer, S. (2012) Implicit Theories: Language Learning Mindsets. In: Mercer, S., Ryan, S. and Williams, M., Eds., Psychology for Language Learning: Insights from Research, Theory and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan, 74-89. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[10] Lou, N.M. and Noels, K.A. (2017) Measuring Language Mindsets and Modeling Their Relations with Goal Orientations and Emotional and Behavioral Responses in Failure Situations. The Modern Language Journal, 101, 214-243. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[11] Lou, N.M. and Noels, K.A. (2019) Promoting Growth in Foreign and Second Language Education: A Research Agenda for Mindsets in Language Learning and Teaching. System, 86, Article ID: 102126. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[12] Zhong, S., Wang, Y. and Wu, W. (2023) Exploring the Mediating Role of Emotions between Growth Language Mindset and Engagement among EFL Learners. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 33, 1037-1049. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[13] Derakhshan, A., Fathi, J., Pawlak, M. and Kruk, M. (2022) Classroom Social Climate, Growth Language Mindset, and Student Engagement: The Mediating Role of Boredom in Learning English as a Foreign Language. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 45, 3415-3433. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[14] Duckworth, A.L. and Quinn, P.D. (2009) Development and Validation of the Short Grit Scale (grit-s). Journal of Personality Assessment, 91, 166-174. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
[15] Credé, M., Tynan, M.C. and Harms, P.D. (2017) Much Ado about Grit: A Meta-Analytic Synthesis of the Grit Literature. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113, 492-511. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
[16] Changlek, A. and Palanukulwong, T. (2015) Motivation and Grit: Predictors of Language Learning Achievement. International Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts, 8, 23-36.
[17] Kramer, B., McLean, S. and Shepherd Martin, E. (2018) Student Grittiness: A Pilot Study Investigating Scholarly Persistence in EFL Classrooms.
[18] Banse, H. and Palacios, N. (2018) Supportive Classrooms for Latino English Language Learners: Grit, ELL Status, and the Classroom Context. The Journal of Educational Research, 111, 645-656. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[19] Lee, J.S. and Drajati, N.A. (2019) Affective Variables and Informal Digital Learning of English: Keys to Willingness to Communicate in a Second Language. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 35, 168-182. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[20] Dweck, C.S. (2006) Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House.
[21] Khajavy, G.H., MacIntyre, P.D. and Hariri, J. (2020) A Closer Look at Grit and Language Mindset as Predictors of Foreign Language Achievement. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 43, 379-402. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[22] Hu, X., Sidhu, G.K. and Lu, X. (2022) Relationship between Growth Mindset and English Language Performance among Chinese EFL University Students: The Mediating Roles of Grit and Foreign Language Enjoyment. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article ID: 935506. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
[23] Sadoughi, M. and Hejazi, S.Y. (2023) Teacher Support, Growth Language Mindset, and Academic Engagement: The Mediating Role of L2 Grit. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 77, Article ID: 101251. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[24] Fan, N., Yang, C., Kong, F. and Zhang, Y. (2024) Low-to Mid-Level High School First-Year EFL Learners’ Growth Language Mindset, Grit, Burnout, and Engagement: Using Serial Mediation Models to Explore Their Relationships. System, 125, Article ID: 103397. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[25] Teimouri, Y., Tahmouresi, S. and Tabandeh, F. (2024) The Interplay of Mindsets, Aptitude, Grit, and Language Achievement: What Role Does Gender Play? Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 46, 869-892. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[26] Yu, X. and Ma, J. (2024) Modelling the Predictive Effect of Enjoyment on Willingness to Communicate in a Foreign Language: The Chain Mediating Role of Growth Mindset and Grit. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 46, 2535-2552. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[27] Teimouri, Y., Sudina, E. and Plonsky, L. (2021) On Domain-Specific Conceptualization and Measurement of Grit in L2 Learning. Journal for the Psychology of Language Learning, 3, 156-164. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[28] Heine, S.J., Kitayama, S., Lehman, D.R., Takata, T., Ide, E., Leung, C., et al. (2001) Divergent Consequences of Success and Failure in Japan and North America: An Investigation of Self-Improving Motivations and Malleable Selves. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81, 599-615. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
[29] Rattan, A., Savani, K., Naidu, N.V.R. and Dweck, C.S. (2012) Can Everyone Become Highly Intelligent? Cultural Differences in and Societal Consequences of Beliefs about the Universal Potential for Intelligence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 103, 787-803. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
[30] Claro, S., Paunesku, D. and Dweck, C.S. (2016) Growth Mindset Tempers the Effects of Poverty on Academic Achievement. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113, 8664-8668. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]