FOREIGN LANGUAGE EFFECT ON MORAL DECISION-MAKING IN HINDI-ENGLISH BILINGUALS
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1
Southern Cross University, Psychology, School of Health and Human Sciences, Australia
Aim: The aim of the current study was to delineate between the foreign language effect and cultural factors in moral decision-making in Hindi-English bilinguals and English monolinguals. Method: 293 participants completed an online survey. 166 Hindi-English bilinguals completed the survey in either their native language (N = 57) or their foreign language (N = 99). A comparison group of 127 English monolinguals were also included. All participants completed a language background questionnaire (LBQ) before being presented with six moral dilemmas; Trolley/Footbridge, Waterpark, Family Game Show each with either an impersonal or personal version of the dilemma. They were required to make a moral decision (i.e. save the lives or winnings of five individuals over one individual or not) and to rate the appropriateness of the utilitarian decision. Results: Overall, no significant foreign or second language effect was found for the Hindi-English bilinguals for the six dilemmas. There was a significant cultural effect on moral decision-making between the English monolinguals and Hindi-English bilinguals. English monolinguals were more likely to make a utilitarian choice of saving five lives over one compared to the Hindi-English bilinguals. Moral ratings were also higher in the English monolinguals compared to the bilinguals, thereby endorsing the appropriateness of the utilitarian choice. Conclusions: Whilst our study failed to detect a foreign language effect, the presence of cultural differences between the groups suggested individuals originating from a Western background were more likely to engage in utilitarian decision-making compared to those originating from an Indian background. The impact of language on moral decision-making holds significant relevance in matters concerning moral transgressions with our findings suggesting culture also plays a prominent role in these types of moral decisions.
Keywords:
Bilinguals,
moral decision-making,
Cultural effect,
foreign language-effect
Conference:
Southern Cross University 13th Annual Honours Psychology Research Conference, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, 7 Oct - 7 Oct, 2016.
Presentation Type:
Research
Topic:
Psychology
Citation:
Bhatt
D and
Winskel
H
(2016). FOREIGN LANGUAGE EFFECT ON MORAL DECISION-MAKING IN HINDI-ENGLISH BILINGUALS.
Front. Public Health.
Conference Abstract:
Southern Cross University 13th Annual Honours Psychology Research Conference.
doi: 10.3389/conf.FPUBH.2016.02.00008
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Received:
29 Sep 2016;
Published Online:
30 Sep 2016.
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Correspondence:
Ms. Devshree Bhatt, Southern Cross University, Psychology, School of Health and Human Sciences, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia, d.bhatt.10@student.scu.edu.au