ERIC Number: EJ1434163
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0143-4632
EISSN: EISSN-1747-7557
Available Date: N/A
Valence-Differential Mechanisms of the Foreign Language Effect in Decision-Making under Risk
Jiehui Hu; Xun Li; Jia Li; Wanyu Zhang; Yuxin Lan; Zhao Gao; Shan Gao
Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, v45 n6 p2152-2165 2024
A growing body of research has provided evidence for the foreign language effect on thinking, notably decision-making. Our prior work found reduction of recency effect following positive feedback in a foreign language as compared to the native tongue during even-probability gambling. However, the fundamental mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. The present study, therefore, aims to probe into this by engaging Chinese-English bilinguals in a functional magnetic resonance imaging version of our gambling task, which required participants to make decisions between playing and leaving equal-odds bets whilst manipulating language and valence of feedback. Results showed fewer 'play' choices following positive feedback presented in English relative to Chinese while no cross-language differences were observed after negative feedback. This valence-dependent language effect on risk-taking behaviour was supported by a language-emotion-decision neural circuit involving interplay between the right lingual gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, and right inferior frontal gyrus. Overall, our findings suggest valence-differential mechanisms of the foreign language effect in the risky decision. That is, the use of a foreign language in feedback presentation attenuates emotional reaction to positive feedback and thus diminishes subsequent risk-taking behaviour. Differently, negative counterparts seem to trigger detachment from negative emotion, leading to dissociation between feedback-encoding and decision-making.
Descriptors: Risk, Second Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, Brain Hemisphere Functions, Task Analysis, Diagnostic Tests, Feedback (Response), Chinese, Bilingualism, English (Second Language), Native Language, Probability, Language Usage, Behavior Patterns, Addictive Behavior, Language Processing, Correlation, Language Proficiency
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A