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‘I couldn’t believe the data’: how thinking in a foreign language improves decision-making

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Summary

This article discusses the phenomenon known as the “foreign language effect”, which is when people make more rational and open-minded decisions when they think in a language other than their native one. It looks at how this phenomenon affects people’s moral reasoning, financial decision-making, memory, and personality traits. It also explores the concept of “linguistic determinism”, which suggests that the specific words and grammar of a language can shape how people perceive the world. Finally, it encourages people to use a foreign language to make more rational decisions and to be more open-minded to new ideas.

Q&As

What is the 'foreign language effect'?
The foreign language effect is the phenomenon in which speaking a second language can make people more rational, open-minded, and better equipped to deal with uncertainty.

What is the 'trolley problem'?
The trolley problem is a thought experiment in which a person is standing on a footbridge when they see an oncoming train that is about to kill five people walking on the track. The only way to save these five people is to push a heavy man off the bridge in front of the train.

What are the benefits of speaking a foreign language?
The benefits of speaking a foreign language include being more utilitarian and flexible, less risk-averse and egotistical, and better able to cope with traumatic memories.

How does speaking a foreign language influence memory and moral reasoning?
Speaking a foreign language can influence memory and moral reasoning by reducing the framing effect, the sunk cost effect, and the bias blind spot. It can also discourage the creation of false memories and increase tolerance of ambiguity.

What are the potential applications of the foreign language effect?
Potential applications of the foreign language effect include using it to make more rational financial decisions, to process painful events, and to become more open-minded when considering controversial new policies.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides an interesting and comprehensive look into the foreign language effect and how it can have an impact on decision-making. It's encouraging to see how speaking a second language can have a positive effect on our cognitive processes.

👎 This article fails to mention the potential drawbacks to speaking a second language, such as the difficulty in accurately translating complex concepts and the potential for cultural misunderstandings.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about how speaking in a foreign language can improve decision-making. It talks about how it can influence people's financial decisions, moral reasoning, and even memory.

Friend: That's really interesting. What are the implications of this?

Me: Well, it suggests that speaking in a foreign language can make people more rational and open-minded when making decisions, and can also help them to cope with traumatic memories. It could be a useful tool for people to switch mindsets and be more detached and objective in their thinking, and it could also help to reduce cognitive biases. It could also be an incentive for people to learn a second language, as it could offer many benefits.

Action items

Sign up for a night class in a foreign language of your choice.
Download a language-learning app such as Duolingo to practice and improve your foreign language skills.
When making important decisions, consider using your second language to help you think more objectively and rationally.

Technical terms

Foreign Language Effect: The phenomenon in which speaking a second language can make people more rational, open-minded, and better equipped to deal with uncertainty.
Linguistic Determinism: The idea that the specific words and grammar of a language can change the way we perceive the world.
Trolley Problem: A thought experiment in which a person is standing on a footbridge when they see an oncoming train is about to kill five people walking on the track. The only way to save these five people is to push a heavy man off the bridge in front of the train.
Myopic Loss Aversion: The tendency to be unwilling to risk losing a small amount of money for the chance of winning a bigger sum, even if the odds are tipped in their favour.
Framing Effect: The tendency to be swayed by the particular phrasing of information.
Sunk Cost Effect: The reluctance to leave a failing endeavour.
Bias Blind Spot: The expectation that we are less susceptible to error than the average person.
Meta-Analysis: A study that examines the evidence to date.
False Memories: Memories that are not based on actual events.