Bi-linguals think more clearly in non native language

[Dewed]

I thought this might be of interest to some, especially those that are, or live with a bi-lingual person.

It appears when asked or reading a question in a native language, people are more apt to give a knee jerk, instinctual response, while the same question in the non native language gives a more thought out response.

  This behavior may explain much !

http://bigthink.com/risk-reason-and-reality/le-probleme-de-chariot-el-problema-carro-the-trolley-problem-a-moral-choice-in-another-language-is-not-the-same

[BC]

After living in Germany for many years watching dubbed US movies, I found it difficult to understand the original versions.  Even today given a choice I would have to think a bit about which version I'd like to watch.

[SANDRO43]

It appears when asked or reading a question in a native language, people are more apt to give a knee jerk, instinctual response, while the same question in the non native language gives a more thought out response.

Interesting theory. However, according to several real-life reports here over the years, it doesn't seem quite applicable to the bluntness and contentiousness of many transplanted FSUW .

[Dewed]

Yes, not likely to be 100% applicable in every situation, but I thought the theory was compelling, and the 2 types of responses (instinctual and conceptual) are true for every one, even mono-lingual cavemen like me.  I try very hard to not give knee jerk responses or make impulsive decisions..  I've bitten my own tongue so much it's now made of hamburger 

[BC]

Yes, not likely to be 100% applicable in every situation, but I thought the theory was compelling, and the 2 types of responses (instinctual and conceptual) are true for every one, even mono-lingual cavemen like me.  I try very hard to not give knee jerk responses or make impulsive decisions..  I've bitten my own tongue so much it's now made of hamburger 

Well, even if fluent in another language, there is a slight delay processing the data.

I guess it is sort of like counting to three before responding....

[Dewed]

Actually no, not according to this study at least, and it makes sense to me.  In native language, many rely solely on an instinctual response rather than actually thinking things through to reach a logical conclusion, In a second language, they are already in "analytical" mode, so the response tends to be more thought out.