The impact of L2 motivation on bilingual creativity: A serial mediation analysis
Abstract Previous studies have shown that bilingualism can offer a cognitive advantage in creativity, yet the mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. The present study aims to investigate the influence of L2 motivation, language proficiency, and reflection on creativity among bilinguals, e...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02708-x |
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| author | Yilong Yang Yadan Li |
| author_facet | Yilong Yang Yadan Li |
| author_sort | Yilong Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Previous studies have shown that bilingualism can offer a cognitive advantage in creativity, yet the mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. The present study aims to investigate the influence of L2 motivation, language proficiency, and reflection on creativity among bilinguals, examining how these factors may contribute directly and indirectly to creative performance. Two sub-studies were conducted. In Study 1, 54 bilingual participants completed an L2 motivation survey, an L2 proficiency scale, and a creativity test. Results showed positive relationships between motivation, proficiency, and creativity, with proficiency serving as a mediator between motivation and creativity. In Study 2, a larger sample of 218 bilingual participants completed the same surveys along with additional measures of reflection and creativity. Findings reinforced those of Study 1, indicating that L2 motivation positively influenced creativity through both L2 proficiency and reflection, which acted as serial mediators. These results suggest that L2 motivation plays a crucial role in enhancing bilinguals' creative performance, both directly and indirectly, through its effect on L2 proficiency and reflection. The study provides novel insights into the cognitive mechanisms of bilingual creativity and underscores the importance of motivation and proficiency in L2 acquisition for fostering creativity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-818bb80e8f9e42a19de137bf390b9a1a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-818bb80e8f9e42a19de137bf390b9a1a2025-08-20T03:25:20ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-05-0113111310.1186/s40359-025-02708-xThe impact of L2 motivation on bilingual creativity: A serial mediation analysisYilong Yang0Yadan Li1Research Center for Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Xi’an International Studies UniversityMOE Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal UniversityAbstract Previous studies have shown that bilingualism can offer a cognitive advantage in creativity, yet the mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. The present study aims to investigate the influence of L2 motivation, language proficiency, and reflection on creativity among bilinguals, examining how these factors may contribute directly and indirectly to creative performance. Two sub-studies were conducted. In Study 1, 54 bilingual participants completed an L2 motivation survey, an L2 proficiency scale, and a creativity test. Results showed positive relationships between motivation, proficiency, and creativity, with proficiency serving as a mediator between motivation and creativity. In Study 2, a larger sample of 218 bilingual participants completed the same surveys along with additional measures of reflection and creativity. Findings reinforced those of Study 1, indicating that L2 motivation positively influenced creativity through both L2 proficiency and reflection, which acted as serial mediators. These results suggest that L2 motivation plays a crucial role in enhancing bilinguals' creative performance, both directly and indirectly, through its effect on L2 proficiency and reflection. The study provides novel insights into the cognitive mechanisms of bilingual creativity and underscores the importance of motivation and proficiency in L2 acquisition for fostering creativity.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02708-xBilingual advantageL2 motivationL2 proficiencyReflectionCreativity |
| spellingShingle | Yilong Yang Yadan Li The impact of L2 motivation on bilingual creativity: A serial mediation analysis BMC Psychology Bilingual advantage L2 motivation L2 proficiency Reflection Creativity |
| title | The impact of L2 motivation on bilingual creativity: A serial mediation analysis |
| title_full | The impact of L2 motivation on bilingual creativity: A serial mediation analysis |
| title_fullStr | The impact of L2 motivation on bilingual creativity: A serial mediation analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of L2 motivation on bilingual creativity: A serial mediation analysis |
| title_short | The impact of L2 motivation on bilingual creativity: A serial mediation analysis |
| title_sort | impact of l2 motivation on bilingual creativity a serial mediation analysis |
| topic | Bilingual advantage L2 motivation L2 proficiency Reflection Creativity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02708-x |
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