Self-determination mini-theories in second language learning: A systematic review of three decades of research

Self-determination theory is one of the most established motivational theories both within second language learning and beyond. This has generated several mini-theories, namely: organismic integration theory, cognitive evaluation basic psychological needs goal contents causality orientations relationships motivation theory. After providing an up-to-date account these we present results a systematic review empirical research into self-determination over 30-year period ( k = 111). Our analysis studies in this report pool showed that some mini-theories were well-represented while others underrepresented or absent from literature. We also examined to note trends design, operationalization, measurement, application constructs. Based on our results, highlight directions for future relation practice.