INVESTIGATING PERCEPTION ON GRIT, MOTIVATION,AND SELF- REGULATED LEARNING AMONG MALAYSIAN UNDERGRADUATES

Authors

  • Zulaikha Khairuddin Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia
  • Syafiqah Johan Amir Johan Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia
  • Nurizah Md. Ngadiran Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia
  • Safra Liyana Sukiman Pusat Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Malaysia
  • Noor Hanim Rahmat Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37231/apj.2025.8.2.823

Abstract

Abstract: Academic success depends on more than just a learner’s cognitive ability. Grit, meaning a consistency of  interest and perseverance, motivational beliefs, which can be affected by self-efficacy, intrinsic value, and  test anxiety, and self-regulated learning strategies can interact and influence the learning process. This  study investigates Malaysian university students’ perception of grit, motivational beliefs, and self-regulated learning strategies using a quantitative survey. 146 randomly selected participants from four  Malaysian public universities responded to the 5-point Likert scale questionnaire containing four parts  with 56 questions in total. The findings suggest that the respondents display moderate consistency of  interest and persistence in their endeavours; respondents occasionally believe in their self-efficacy and own a sense of purpose about their learning, but may suffer from test anxiety; and respondents’ confidence  level in applying different learning strategies vary. Ultimately, the study finds positive correlation between  grit, motivation, and self-regulation, although they influence each other to varying degrees. Thus,  educators must find a way to promote learner’s grit, maintain their motivation, and encourage independent learning. 

Keywords: Grit; Learning Strategies; Motivation; Self-Regulation 




References

Adebanjo, S. A., Mohammed, A. O., & Ariyibi, O. O. (2025). Developing problem-solving skills in students through instructional scaffolding. Asian Journal of Assessment in Teaching and Learning, 15(1), 36-48.

Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215.

Bandura, A. (1991). Social cognitive theory of self-regulation. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 248-287.

Chan, S.-W., Looi, C.-K., Kharudin, N. H., Ahmad, M. F., & Ismail, F. (2024). Self-regulated learning and academic achievement among university students in online learning environments. Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, 59(1), 25–39.

Credé, M., Tynan, M. C., & Harms, P. D. (2017). Much ado about grit: A meta-analytic synthesis of the grit literature. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(3), 492–511.

Derakhshan, A., & Fathi, J. (2023). Grit and foreign language enjoyment as predictors of EFL learners’ online engagement: The mediating role of online learning self-efficacy. Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 33, 759–769.

Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner.

Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087–1101.

Fathi, J., Mohammaddokht, F., & Nourzadeh, S. (2021). Grit and foreign language anxiety as predictors of willingness to communicate in the context of foreign language learning: A structural equation modeling approach. Issues in Language Teaching (ILT), 10(2), 1-30.

Hodge, B., Wright, B., & Bennett, P. (2018). The role of grit in determining engagement and academic outcomes for university students. Research in Higher Education, 59(4), 448–460.

Jackson,S.L. (2015). Research Methods and Statistics: A Critical Thinking Approach (5tH Edition). Boston, USA: Cengage Learning.

Jiang, L., Zhang, S., & Li, X. (2021). How grit influences high school students’ academic performance and the mediation effect of academic self-efficacy and cognitive learning strategies. Current Psychology, 42, 94– 103.

Junaštíková, J. (2024). Self-regulation of learning in the context of modern technology: A review of empirical studies. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 21(2), 270–291.

Krashen, S. D. (1982). Principles and practice. Learning, 46(2), 327-69.

Martin, H., Craigwell, R., & Ramjarrie, K. (2022). Grit, motivational belief, self-regulated learning (SRL), and academic achievement of civil engineering students. European Journal of Engineering Education, 47(4), 535–557.

Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396.

Md Nasir, N. A., & Singh, P. (2023). The effect of a problem-solving approach on students’ heuristics knowledge development. Management, 13(2), 827-842.

Pintrich, P. R., & De Groot, E. V. (1990). Motivational and self-regulated learning components of classroom academic performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 82(1), 33–40.

Rahmat, N. H., Sukimin, I. S., Sim, M. S., Anuar, M., & Mohandas, E. S. (2021). Online learning motivation and satisfaction: A case study of undergraduates vs postgraduates. International Journal of Asian Social Science, 11(2), 88–97.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61, 101860.

Talib, A., Mohamad, M. H., & Khalid, M. (2023). Motivated learners: How do they use their self-regulated learning strategies?. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(2), 95–109.

Ueno, S., & Park, S. (2025). Exploring the relationship between self-regulation, grit, motivation, and English proficiency among university students in Japan. Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal, 16(2), 418–436.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Wahid, H. S. A., Rahmat, N. H., Dzuradeen, N. S., & Kadir, N. A. (2020). Are students engaging in online classrooms. European Journal of Education Studies, 7(12), 202-222.

Wang, L. (2021). The role of students’ self-regulated learning, grit, and resilience in second language learning. Frontiers in Psychology,12, 1-7.

Wei, X., Wang, L., Lee, L. K., & Liu, R. (2025). The effects of generative AI on collaborative problem-solving and team creativity performance in digital story creation: An experimental study. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22(1), 23.

Won, S., Wolters, C. A., Brady, A. C., & Hensley, L. C. (2025). Grit and self-regulated learning: Evaluating achievement goals as mediators. Social Psychology of Education, 28(1), 57.

Zhang, C., Wang, P., Zeng, X., & Wang, X. (2025). A case study on developing students' problem-solving skills through interdisciplinary thematic learning. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1447089.

Zimmerman, B. J. (2002). Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Theory Into Practice, 41(2), 64–70.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-31 — Updated on 2025-11-01

Versions

How to Cite

INVESTIGATING PERCEPTION ON GRIT, MOTIVATION,AND SELF- REGULATED LEARNING AMONG MALAYSIAN UNDERGRADUATES. (2025). Asian People Journal (APJ), 8(2), 154-170. https://doi.org/10.37231/apj.2025.8.2.823 (Original work published 2025)