Creating a supportive learning environment: The impact of dominant love styles on students’ motivation

Abstract

Introduction. The article reveals the influence of emotions on the intrinsic student motivation to studies. The aim of the article is to identify the dominant love styles, to validate their impact on the intrinsic student motivation to studies and the types of their motives in order to design a supportive learning environment. Despite the fact that different investigations into the role of emotional factors on learning have been frequently undertaken since the emergence of psychoanalysis, currently, the emotional reaction to the experience of love is insufficiently articulated in educational and methodological literature and is still peripheral. Materials and Methods. The methodological basis of the study is formed by general scientific methods: theoretical analysis and literature review. They are underpinned by a set of specific methods: personality analysis (personalised, environmental and structural approaches), the colour wheel theory of love (J. A. Lee) along with quantitative, qualitative, diagnostic and interpretation methods (N. Ts. Badmaeva). In order to achieve the aim, an analytical and comparative review has been carried out in order to identify the links between emotions and intrinsic student motivation, as well as the main parts of the supportive learning environment. Quantitative and diagnostic methods include two surveys, used as data collection tools. Qualitative and interpretation methods have allowed the authors to determine student motivation through love styles in correlation with types of motives, as well as to design a three-part supportive learning environment based on teaching strategies. Twenty eight students in their third-fourth year of study at University of Tyumen aged between 20 and 25 years majoring in Linguistics have participated in the study. Results. Literature review has shown that emotions are a significant component in cultivating student intrinsic motivation to studies. The authors have identified and described the key components of the supportive learning environment. The results of the diagnostics and their interpretation analysis have shown a high level of love styles’ impact on the student intrinsic motivation to studies and revealed statistically significant links between prevailing love styles and motives. The dominant love styles are Ludus, Pragma and Agape. Assessment of the student motivation level and dominant types of motives has shown that 51 percent of respondents (n=16) have below average or low level of motivation. Among the prevailing motives, the authors highlight the following: communicative, failure avoidance and social motives. These findings have allowed the authors to design a meaningful model of the supportive learning environment based on teaching strategies and to justify its significance. The authors’ model consists of three main parts involving intellectual stimulation, flexible assessment system and reflection. On the one hand, these components result from the prevailing motives influenced by love styles. On the other hand, they are to enhance cognitive (educational) and professional motives. The proposed model explicates the links between love styles, motives, teaching strategies and visualises the underlying meanings of the supportive learning environment. Conclusions. In conclusion, the authors summarise the love styles’ impact on the intrinsic student motivation to studies, justify the necessity to introduce and test the designed model of the supportive learning environment. In the authors’ opinion, it will allow an educator to cultivate a sustained student motivation to studies, as well as to enhance cognitive (educational) and professional motives.