Learning with Chinese Values: A Structural Equation Modelling of Chinese Values, Self-Others Oriented Achievement Motives, Achievement Emotions, 3 x 2 Achievement Goals and Self-Regulated Learning among Hong Kong Undergraduates

Some studies had found that culture can affect one’s learning process. The present study aims to examine the relationships of Chinese values (Confucian work dynamism, Integration, Human-heartedness and Moral discipline) and self-others oriented achievement motives (Socially-oriented achievement motives: SOAM; Individually-oriented achievement motives: IOAM) related to achievement emotions and 3x2 achievement goals and subsequently to self-regulated learning. Since 3x2 achievement goals was recently confirmed, there were not much studies examining the relationship between 3x2 achievement goals and the learning process in Chinese setting. Two hundreds and seven undergraduates in Hong Kong have participated in this research to complete five questionnaires. To analyze the data, Path analysis and SEM (Structural Equation Modelling) were included in the present study. In the path model, it shown that Chinese values had different significant relationships with SOAM, IOAM, whereas SOAM and IOAM were also significantly correlated with task, self and others-based achievement goals. As for the first SEM model, it illustrated that there were significant relationships between Chinese values and self-others achievement motives, 3 x 2 achievement goals and self-regulated learning. In the second SEM model, surprisingly, positive achievement emotions had greater mediation effect than 3 x 2 achievement goals on one’s self-regulated learning. Both SEM model were well formulated and validated. Based on the results, it can be concluded that Confucian work dynamism had great influence on Chinese’s learning behaviour. Furthermore, 3 x 2 achievement goals were significantly related with SOAM and IOAM and subsequently to self-regulated learning with the effect of Chinese Values. It was the first empirical study provides a more comprehensive picture to explain the effects of Chinese values on self-others oriented achievement motives, achievement emotions, 3 x 2 achievement goals and self-regulated learning in Hong Kong. More studies can be conducted to explore the relationship between cultural values and one’s learning process in-depth.

Keywords: Chinese values, Self-others oriented achievement motives, Achievement emotions,
3 x 2 Achievement goals, Self-regulated learning, Hong Kong undergraduates