He moved the correlations, now what? On dynamics, causality and development in Wander Lowie’s CDST
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51751/dujal27639Keywords:
process-oriented research, L2 development, complex dynamic systemsAbstract
The introduction of Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST) marked a shift in SLA research from product-oriented outcomes to developmental processes. Building on the work of Wander Lowie and colleagues, this article adopts a dual approach. We reanalysed an existing dataset while situating the findings within a broader methodological reflection, outlining opportunities and challenges of dense longitudinal methods and identifying priorities for strengthening evidence in future CDST-oriented SLA research.
Downloads
References
Al-Hoorie, A. H., Hiver, P., Larsen-Freeman, D., & Lowie, W. (2023). From replication to substantiation: A complexity theory perspective. Language Teaching, 56(2), 276–291. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444821000409
Atkinson, D., Mejía‐Laguna, J., Ribeiro, A. C., Cappellini, M., Kayi‐Aydar, H., & Lowie, W. (2025). Relationality, interconnectedness, and identity: A process‐focused approach to second language acquisition and teaching (SLA/T). The Modern Language Journal, 109(S1), 39–63. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12982
Bulté, B., & Housen, A. (2020). A critical appraisal of the CDST approach to investigating linguistic complexity in L2 writing development. In G. G. Fogal & M. H. Verspoor (Eds.), Language Learning & Language Teaching (Vol. 54, pp. 207–238). John Benjamins Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.54.09bul
Bulté, B., Housen, A., & Pallotti, G. (2025). Complexity and Difficulty in Second Language Acquisition: A Theoretical and Methodological Overview. Language Learning, 75(2), 533–574. https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12669
Caspi, T. (2010). A dynamic perspective on second language development. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Groningen.
De Wilde, V., & Lowie, W. (2025). The forest and the trees: investigating groups and individuals in longitudinal second language English speaking development. Language Learning, 75(4), 988–1018. https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12698
Epskamp, S., Waldorp, L. J., Mõttus, R., & Borsboom, D. (2018). The gaussian graphical model in cross-sectional and time-series Data. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 53(4), 453–480. https://doi.org/10.1080/00273171.2018.1454823
Freeborn, L., & Siepe, B. S. (2025). Unravelling the dynamics of language learning: Insights from temporal network analysis. In W. Lowie, Rosmawati, & V. De Wilde (Eds.), Research Methods in Applied Linguistics (Vol. 14, pp. 143–166). John Benjamins Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.14.08fre
Lowie, W. (2017). Lost in state space?: Methodological considerations in Complex Dynamic Theory approaches to second language development research. In L. Ortega & Z. Han (Eds.), Complexity Theory and Language Development (Vol. 48, pp. 123–142). John Benjamins Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.48.07low
Lowie, W. (2026, this issue). A complex dynamic systems approach to L2 development as a metatheory of language learning and teaching. Dutch Journal of Applied Linguistics. https://doi.org/10.51751/dujal26925
Lowie, W., Caspi, T., Van Geert, P., & Steenbeek, H. (2011). Modeling development and change. In M. H. Verspoor, K. De Bot, & W. Lowie (Eds.), A Dynamic Approach to Second Langiage Development (Vol. 29, pp. 99–122). John Benjamins Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.29.06low
Lowie, W. M., & Verspoor, M. H. (2019). Individual differences and the ergodicity Problem: Individual Differences and Ergodicity. Language Learning, 69, 184–206. https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12324
Murakami, A. (2016). Modeling systematicity and individuality in nonlinear second language development: The case of English grammatical morphemes: Modeling individual nonlinear development. Language Learning, 66(4), 834–871. https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12166
Peng, H., Jager, S., & Lowie, W. (2022). A person-centred approach to L2 learners’ informal mobile language learning. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 35(9), 2148–2169. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2020.1868532
Pfenninger, S. E. (2020). The dynamic multicausality of age of first bilingual language exposure: evidence from a longitudinal content and language integrated learning study with dense time serial measurements. The Modern Language Journal, 104(3), 662– 686. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12666
Van Dijk, M., Lowie, W., Smit, N., Verspoor, M., & Van Geert, P. (2024). Complex dynamic systems theory as a foundation for process-oriented research on second language development. Second Language Research, 02676583241246739. https://doi.org/10.1177/02676583241246739
Verspoor, M., Lowie, W., & Wieling, M. (2021). L2 developmental measures from a dynamic perspective. In B. Le Bruyn & M. Paquot (Eds.), Learner Corpus Research Meets Second Language Acquisition (1st ed., pp. 172–190). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108674577.009
Wirtz, M. A., & Pfenninger, S. E. (2025). Identifying and explaining L2 growth spurts: A tutorial on generalized additive models for time-intensive longitudinal data in applied linguistics research. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, 4(3), 100259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2025.100259
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Vanessa De Wilde, Lani Freeborn, May Y. Wu, Alex Housen

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.