Motivation and Emotions in Learning Processes

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Educational Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 331

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Education (EDUNOVA.ISPA), ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: motivation; achievement emotions; teachers beliefs; parental involvement in schooling

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Education (EDUNOVA.ISPA), ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: motivation; achievement emotions; engagement; self-concept; at-risk students
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Motivation and emotions are central psychological processes that shape engagement, attention, effort, persistence, self-regulation, achievement, and well-being across the lifespan. Understanding the learning process extends beyond its cognitive dimension; it is significantly shaped by emotional experiences, motivations, and contextual factors in classrooms, families, cultures, and digital or hybrid environments. Despite extensive research, key challenges remain in understanding how these processes develop, interact with cognition and context, and can be supported to achieve meaningful outcomes. We invite submissions to this Special Issue, “Motivation and Emotions in Learning Processes”, that will advance our understanding of theoretical frameworks. We encourage interdisciplinary contributions from across psychology, education, neuroscience, and the social sciences, exploring cognitive, developmental, and educational perspectives. We welcome research articles, reviews, and methodological papers using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods with learners from childhood through adulthood. Topics of interest include the development and dynamics of motivation and emotions; interactions among cognitive, motivational, and emotional processes; classroom, family, and cultural influences; teachers’ motivational beliefs and emotional experiences; trajectories in digital or hybrid learning; and interventions or pedagogical practices that foster engagement, self-efficacy, and positive emotions. We encourage innovative perspectives that can advance our understanding of the role of motivation and emotions in learning and inform the design of effective learning environments. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Francisco J. Peixoto
Joana Pipa
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • motivation
  • emotions
  • engagement
  • affective dynamics
  • achievement motivation
  • academic emotions
  • motivational regulation
  • socio-emotional processes in learning

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 560 KB  
Article
Factors Influencing University Students’ Persistence and Satisfaction Towards Self-Directed Language Learning Using Mobile Technology
by Yuzhi Lai, Nadira Saab and Wilfried Admiraal
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16040519 - 30 Mar 2026
Abstract
Research on mobile-assisted language learning has mainly focused on teacher-initiated learning, instead of student-initiated learning outside of class. In self-directed language learning with mobile technology, students’ satisfaction with and persistence in learning are conditionafor making self-directed learning effective. This study examined how university [...] Read more.
Research on mobile-assisted language learning has mainly focused on teacher-initiated learning, instead of student-initiated learning outside of class. In self-directed language learning with mobile technology, students’ satisfaction with and persistence in learning are conditionafor making self-directed learning effective. This study examined how university learners’ persistence and satisfaction towards self-directed language learning using mobile technology are predicted by mobile readiness, teacher support, and engagement. Survey data from 446 language learners in different disciplines attending Chinese universities were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Learners’ satisfaction was found to be significantly and positively related to their mobile readiness and persistence to both mobile readiness and engagement. Additionally, learners’ mobile readiness was found to make a strongly significant contribution to engagement in self-directed learning using mobile technology. And teacher support was significantly and positively linked to learners’ mobile readiness yet negatively to learners’ engagement. However, the findings showed an indirect and positive impact on learners’ engagement with a mediating role for mobile readiness. Considering the importance of learners’ mobile readiness and the critical impact of teacher support in our context, further research should explore learners’ characteristics and teacher support in mobile self-directed learning settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motivation and Emotions in Learning Processes)
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