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<p style="text-align: justify;">Drawing on Markus and Nurius&rsquo;s (1986) theory of possible selves and Higgins&rsquo;s (1987) theory of self-discrepancies, D&ouml;rnyei (2005, 2009) developed the L2 self-guide, a construct explaining the generation of motivation for language learning. Because D&ouml;rnyei focused on convergences in the source theories, L2MSS researchers have come to regard possible selves (Markus &amp; Nurius, 1986) and self-guides (Higgins, 1987) as differing manifestations of a common underlying phenomenon. However, when constructs are similar, but not identical, assumptions of equivalence can lead to theoretical and methodological confusion (Lawson &amp; Robins, 2021). Drawing on observations by MacIntyre (2022; MacIntyre et al., 2009a, 2009b) in critical engagements with D&ouml;rnyei&rsquo;s scholarship, this article addresses disparities in the source construct conceptualizations. It considers the implications that follow when sibling constructs are viewed as identical, and when possible selves and self-guides are conjoined in a unitary construct. Together, conceptual divergencies in the source constructs and concerns about the validity of L2MSS scales (Al-Hoorie, et al., 2024a, 2024b) mean that the L2 self-guide should be disassembled. Ultimately, it is only if possible selves and self-guides are understood and investigated as discrete constructs that the value they may have for L2 motivation research can be fully assessed.</p>

ltrq.2025.48.03.pdf

Review Article

ltrq.2025.48.03.xml

Splitting the L2 Self-Guide: Ways Forward for Motivation Research

Guest-editors: 
Mirosław Pawlak, PhD, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland University of Applied Sciences, Konin, Poland
Zhisheng (Edward) Wen, PhD, College of Professional and Continuing Education, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Hassan Mohebbi, PhD, Independent Researcher, Turkey


Special Issue: In Honour of Peter D. MacIntyre’s Contributions to Psychology of Language and Communication and Second Language Research Methodology