Yang Yilong, Li Yadan
Research Center for Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Xi'an International Studies University, Xi'an, China.
School of English Studies, Xi'an International Studies University, Xi'an, China.
BMC Psychol. 2025 May 15;13(1):511. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02708-x.
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.
以往的研究表明，双语能力能在创造力方面带来认知优势，但其背后的机制仍不明确。本研究旨在调查二语动机、语言熟练度和反思对双语者创造力的影响，探究这些因素如何直接或间接地影响创造性表现。研究进行了两个子研究。在研究1中，54名双语参与者完成了一项二语动机调查、一项二语熟练度量表和一项创造力测试。结果显示动机、熟练度和创造力之间呈正相关，熟练度在动机和创造力之间起中介作用。在研究2中，218名双语参与者组成的更大样本完成了相同的调查以及反思和创造力的额外测量。研究结果强化了研究1的结果，表明二语动机通过二语熟练度和反思对创造力产生积极影响，而二语熟练度和反思起到了连续中介的作用。这些结果表明，二语动机通过对二语熟练度和反思的影响，在直接和间接提高双语者的创造性表现方面都起着关键作用。该研究为双语创造力的认知机制提供了新的见解，并强调了二语习得中动机和熟练度对培养创造力的重要性。
