Motivational profiles of Chinese and Filipino students: a person-centred analysis

This study aims to complement existing literature on Asian students’ motivation through the adoption of person-centred approach in understanding Chinese and Filipino students’ motivational profile using self-determination theory. By means of cluster analysis, both Study 1 involving Chinese college students (N = 306) and Study 2 involving Filipino high school students (N = 893) identified four clusters: 1) high autonomous-high controlled, 2) high autonomous-low-controlled, 3) moderate autonomous-moderate controlled and 4) low autonomous-low controlled. These clusters were significantly different when compared across various outcomes. Specifically, the high autonomous-low controlled motivation and high autonomous, high controlled motivation groups demonstrated the most favourable outcomes whilst moderate autonomous-moderate controlled, and low autonomous-low controlled motivation had the least favourable outcomes. The study yielded both etic and emic findings different from western findings. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed within the cultural context in which the participants operate.