Understanding the impact of foreign language on social norms through lies

• Zhimin Hu ^[1] ; Eduardo Navarrete ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Padua

     University of Padua

     Padova, Italia

     
• Localización: Bilingualism: Language and cognition, ISSN 1366-7289, Vol. 28, Nº 1, 2025, págs. 257-271
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.1017/S1366728924000373
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • This study investigates how a foreign language impacts social norms. We tested this by comparing the magnitude of response differences between norm-violating and norm-adhering behaviors in native language versus foreign language. In experiment 1, participants indicated the acceptability of third-person black and white lies in either their native or foreign language on a Likert scale. In experiment 2, participants indicated their first-person intentions to tell black and white lies on a Likert scale. Experiment 3 conceptually replicated experiment 1 on a slider scale, testing white lies and blunt truths. In experiment 4, participants provided dichotomous yes–no decisions to tell black and white lies. Results revealed a significant reduction of acceptability ratings in experiments 1 and 3 while only showing such a trend in experiments 2 and 4, suggesting language impacts particularly descriptive social norms. Collectively, these findings provide insight into how a foreign language diminishes the influence of social norms.

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