Does language shape the way we think? A review of the foreign language effect across domains

Abstract

Purpose and research question: This review investigates the influence of the foreign language effect (FLE) on moral decision-making, risk aversion, and causality perception. Recent research indicates that bilinguals employ different decision-making strategies according to the language in use (first vs. second language). Methodology: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, we conducted a comprehensive literature review. Our analysis focused on empirical studies, yielding 28 articles that met our inclusion criteria. Findings and conclusions: Our findings reveal that participants, when operating in a foreign language context, are more inclined to accept harm for improved outcomes, exhibit reduced risk aversion, and display moderated causal perceptions, particularly in emotionally charged contexts. The variability in study conclusions can be attributed to factors such as age, personality, language proficiency, and linguistic characteristics. Significance: Our results support previous findings in the FLE, highlight limitations, and provide suggestions for future research.