Thinking in a Non-native Language: A New Nudge?

Abstract

The majority of research on learning a non-native language has focused on the personal benefits of being bilingual or multilingual. In this paper, we focus on the potential positive effect of actively thinking in a non-native language. Our approach is inspired by recent experimental research suggesting that actively thinking in a non-native language leads to improved reasoning and decision-making, which is known as the foreign-language effect (FLE). We examine the possibility that one could choose to think in a nonnative language in order to reap these potential benefits. Integrating this research with research in positive psychology, we explain how doing so might be understood as a type of "nudge," or intervention that one could use to increase their chances of making autonomous decisions reflecting their own best interest. Nudges have been associated with improved outcomes with respect to many aspects of our lives-for instance sticking to goals, saving money, exercising more frequently, maintaining a healthy diet. It may be that bilinguals can assume an active role in increasing their happiness or well-being by making better decisions through strategic implementation of a non-native language in decision-making contexts. We also discuss the ethics of using the FLE as a nudge when it has beneficial consequences, as there are instances when doing so could be beneficial with respect to public policy as well. For instance, it has been shown that people are less averse to sustainable farming and eating practices (e.g., eating insects) when actively thinking in a non-native language. After reviewing the current research on the FLE, we suggest that further research needs to be done because actively thinking in a non-native language seems to function beneficially in some circumstances but may pose cognitive disadvantages in others.

How a second language and its future time reference impacts intertemporal decision: A holistic perspective

“…On a practical level, our observation, that the use of a foreign language produces higher discount rates, runs contrary to the simple notion that the FLE can exert a beneficial debiasing effect (Białek, Domurat, et al, 2020;Muda, Walker, et al, 2020). Therefore, we believe it would be premature, and potentially misjudged, to promote its use as a novel nudge strategy (McFarlane et al, 2020).…”

“…and paradigms (e.g., survey and experimental task). Recently, some researchers have even discussed that FLE could be applied as a novel nudge technique to promote healthier behaviors (McFarlane et al, 2020). Kahneman's (2011) dual-process theory has been used to explain the FLE .…”

“…This effect of foreign languages may have two possible pathways as described by two paralleled hypotheses McFarlane et al, 2020), 1) Reduced emotionality account: Since foreign languages contain less affective and emotional information (Aneta, 2012;Fan et al, 2016), they may reduce the influence of emotional resonance while engaging in the decision-making process (Keysar et al, 2012), leading to more rational decisions as a consequence (McFarlane et al, 2020); 2) Cognitive enhancement account: The less familiarity of a foreign language may decrease one's fluency of processing and increase processing difficulty, which consequently boost analytic reasoning and make the rational System 2 override the System 1 (Alter et al, 2007;Díaz-Lago & Matute, 2019).…”

How a second language and its future time reference impacts intertemporal decision: A holistic perspective

“…Finally, our results shed new light on the FLE on intertemporal decision, giving a reminder that the effect of some language features (e.g., FTR) should be concurrently considered. Thus, against the notion that the FLE can be used as a beneficial debiasing effect or a new nudge strategy (McFarlane et al, 2020), we call for caution while using a second language as a potential nudge to encourage more rational intertemporal decision-making.…”

“…Or, while using L2, the increased cognitive load may restrict cognitive resources available for processing emotion, thus reducing the intensity of emotional reaction thereafter (Thoma & Baum, 2019). As a result, using L2 may lead individuals to rely more on a system that is rational (System 2), thus leading to more rational decisions (McFarlane, Cipolletti Perez, & Weissglass, 2020).…”