This paper explores the individual characteristics and typical dynamic characteristics of the research motivation of the English major college students,by means of retrodictive qualitative modeling method and under the guidance of directional motivation currents theory.The results show that the diachronic fluctuation trajectory of the student's research motivation pres-ents the characteristics of directional motivation currents,which is a soft assembly of willingness,cognition,emotionality,and behavior.In addition,it gradually internalizes along the trajectory of"external regulation—introjected regulation—failure a-voidance—identified regulation",and the degree of self-determination gradually strengthens.In this process,the student's e-motions and language competence are coordinated with and adapted to the guidance and assistance of the mentor,promoting the dynamic development of their research motivation.This study demonstrates the practical value of directed motivation currents in stimulating and maintaining research motivation,especially the positive role of emotional factors,which may have some in-spiration for cultivating the research competence of English major college students.
directional motivation currentsEnglish major college studentsresearch motivationindividual characteristicstypical dynamic characteristics