Does being in a foreign language environment influence individuals' moral decision making? : exploring the foreign language effect in Maltese native speakers

Abstract

The issue of moral judgment and decision-making has garnered significant attention in psychology, linguistics, and cognitive science. One intriguing area within this domain is the Foreign Language Effect (FLE), which examines how processing information in a foreign language influences moral judgment. This study investigates the FLE among Maltese native speakers, exploring whether a foreign language environment (English) affects their moral decision-making compared to their native language (Maltese). Conducted with 60 bilingual participants, this research employed moral dilemmas presented in both Maltese and English to analyse the nature of moral decisions (utilitarian vs. deontological) and reaction times. While previous studies suggest that the FLE may lead to more utilitarian choices by creating cognitive distance and reducing emotional involvement, our results indicate a more nuanced impact. There was no significant difference in the proportion of utilitarian decisions between languages; however, participants exhibited faster reaction times when making decisions in English. These findings imply that the cognitive distancing effect of a foreign language facilitates quicker moral reasoning by reducing emotional interference rather than significantly altering the type of moral judgments made. This research contributes to understanding the complex interplay between language, emotion, and moral decision-making, particularly within the unique bilingual context of Malta. By shedding light on how language influences ethical decision-making, this study offers valuable insights for educational practices, ethical training, and cross-cultural communication in multilingual societies. Future research is encouraged to further explore the FLE across diverse linguistic and cultural settings to deepen comprehension of its broader implications.