Quantum psychology approach on enjoyment as mediator in relationship between L2 flow and engagement

IntroductionQuantum psychology offers scholars a novel lens, to be preferred when Chaos/Complexity falls short of understanding the missing puzzle pieces in the complex interplay between cognitive and affective factors in second language acquisition (SLA). Adopting a quantum psychology approach, thi...

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Main Author: Ferdi Çelik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1593973/full
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author Ferdi Çelik
author_facet Ferdi Çelik
author_sort Ferdi Çelik
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionQuantum psychology offers scholars a novel lens, to be preferred when Chaos/Complexity falls short of understanding the missing puzzle pieces in the complex interplay between cognitive and affective factors in second language acquisition (SLA). Adopting a quantum psychology approach, this study conceptualizes learner psychology as probabilistic and non-linear, proposing that flow, enjoyment, and engagement are dynamically entangled, akin to quantum principles of superposition and entanglement.MethodsTo test this, the study investigates the mediating role of enjoyment in the relationship between psychological flow and academic engagement among 162 high school students in artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted English as a Foreign Language (EFL) speaking and writing classes. Employing a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected using a validated Psychological Flow Scale, Academic Engagement Scale, and Foreign Language Enjoyment Scale.ResultsPath analysis has revealed that psychological flow does not directly influence academic engagement; however, flow significantly predicts enjoyment, which in turn positively affects engagement. The indirect effect of flow on engagement through enjoyment was significant and indicated full mediation.DiscussionThese findings challenge linear models of flow and engagement in SLA. The results, interpreted through a quantum perspective, emphasize the importance of fostering enjoyable learning experiences to enhance engagement, particularly in technology-enhanced contexts like AI-assisted classrooms. Pedagogical implications include designing interactive, enjoyable, and optimally challenging tasks to promote flow and enjoyment to sustain learner engagement. Future studies should investigate more mediators and use longitudinal designs to clarify these evolving relationships.
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spelling doaj-art-4e2dcce5d35548dd8fa2d100a89a3e192025-07-21T05:22:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-07-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15939731593973Quantum psychology approach on enjoyment as mediator in relationship between L2 flow and engagementFerdi ÇelikIntroductionQuantum psychology offers scholars a novel lens, to be preferred when Chaos/Complexity falls short of understanding the missing puzzle pieces in the complex interplay between cognitive and affective factors in second language acquisition (SLA). Adopting a quantum psychology approach, this study conceptualizes learner psychology as probabilistic and non-linear, proposing that flow, enjoyment, and engagement are dynamically entangled, akin to quantum principles of superposition and entanglement.MethodsTo test this, the study investigates the mediating role of enjoyment in the relationship between psychological flow and academic engagement among 162 high school students in artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted English as a Foreign Language (EFL) speaking and writing classes. Employing a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected using a validated Psychological Flow Scale, Academic Engagement Scale, and Foreign Language Enjoyment Scale.ResultsPath analysis has revealed that psychological flow does not directly influence academic engagement; however, flow significantly predicts enjoyment, which in turn positively affects engagement. The indirect effect of flow on engagement through enjoyment was significant and indicated full mediation.DiscussionThese findings challenge linear models of flow and engagement in SLA. The results, interpreted through a quantum perspective, emphasize the importance of fostering enjoyable learning experiences to enhance engagement, particularly in technology-enhanced contexts like AI-assisted classrooms. Pedagogical implications include designing interactive, enjoyable, and optimally challenging tasks to promote flow and enjoyment to sustain learner engagement. Future studies should investigate more mediators and use longitudinal designs to clarify these evolving relationships.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1593973/fullquantum psychologySLAflow and engagementEFLforeign language enjoymentnon-linear dynamics
spellingShingle Ferdi Çelik
Quantum psychology approach on enjoyment as mediator in relationship between L2 flow and engagement
Frontiers in Psychology
quantum psychology
SLA
flow and engagement
EFL
foreign language enjoyment
non-linear dynamics
title Quantum psychology approach on enjoyment as mediator in relationship between L2 flow and engagement
title_full Quantum psychology approach on enjoyment as mediator in relationship between L2 flow and engagement
title_fullStr Quantum psychology approach on enjoyment as mediator in relationship between L2 flow and engagement
title_full_unstemmed Quantum psychology approach on enjoyment as mediator in relationship between L2 flow and engagement
title_short Quantum psychology approach on enjoyment as mediator in relationship between L2 flow and engagement
title_sort quantum psychology approach on enjoyment as mediator in relationship between l2 flow and engagement
topic quantum psychology
SLA
flow and engagement
EFL
foreign language enjoyment
non-linear dynamics
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1593973/full
work_keys_str_mv AT ferdicelik quantumpsychologyapproachonenjoymentasmediatorinrelationshipbetweenl2flowandengagement