Abstract
Gardner’s original concept of integrativeness was based on his conviction that one’s identification with speakers of the L2 and desire to become similar to those speakers provides motivation to learn that language. Later, Dörnyei proposed that the ideal L2 self, one’s idealized model of oneself as a language speaker, should replace integrativeness as the prime motivator and object of identification. This chapter argues that the ideal L2 self cannot replace integrativeness for two reasons. First, the locus of identification differs. Integrativeness represents identification with an external referent, traditionally a language group that one wishes to enter, whereas the ideal L2 self represents identification with an internal referent. Second, empirical results based on comparison of correlation with effort show that when corrected for attenuation, Integrativeness-D&C (Dörnyei & Csizér’s 2002 version of integrativeness) correlated significantly more strongly with Intended Learning Effort than did the Ideal L2 Self in the studies that call for replacement. Advantages and disadvantages of using the Integrativeness-D&C scale are identified and future directions for research are suggested. As well, a model of identification incorporating aspects of both integrativeness and the ideal L2 self is presented, in which identification with an external model is linked to identification with an internal model via internalization in a complementary relationship.
Please cite as:
Claro, J. (2019). Identification with External and Internal Referents: Integrativeness and the Ideal L2 Self. In A. Al-Hoorie & P. MacIntyre (Eds.), Contemporary Language Motivation Theory: 60 Years Since Gardner and Lambert (1959), pp. 233-261. Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters. DOI https://doi.org/10.21832/ALHOOR5198
Note:
This is the author’s copy. Please note that page numbers differ from the final published version but the text is identical.
Link to full book at publisher’s website:
http://www.multilingual-matters.com/display.asp?isb=9781788925181
Jennifer Claro 