Psychol Sci June 2012 PMID 22517192

The foreign-language effect: thinking in a foreign tongue reduces decision biases.

Boaz Keysar, Sayuri L Hayakawa, Sun Gyu An

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Mentions

154

Peak: 12 in Dec 2019

across 6 sources since Nov 2018

Extended reach

7,396,472

potential audience

Total likes

257,663

Video views

7,304,471

Mentions per month

Nov 2018 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several posts exemplify deep engagement through mentions of specific research studies, such as Boaz Keysar et al.'s work from 2012, and discuss how thinking in a foreign language might reduce emotional biases. The tone is generally positive and curious, emphasizing the potential for the foreign language effect to positively influence decision-making and reduce errors, which contributes to a perception of high impact. Some posts also highlight the broader relevance, including educational implications and personal experiences, illustrating both interest and recognition of the publication’s significance.

AgreementStrong agreement

The bulk of the discussions support the main findings of the publication, with many posts explicitly stating that thinking in a foreign language can improve decision quality and reduce biases.

InterestHigh interest

There is a high level of curiosity and relevance, as users are drawn to how language influences cognitive processes, evidenced by comments like 'Fascinating' and questions about the implications.

EngagementHigh engagement

Posts demonstrate deep engagement by referencing specific studies, discussing examples of how foreign language use affects thinking, and mentioning related processes like emotional attenuation and cognitive effort.

ImpactHigh impact

Many discussions highlight the significance of these findings, suggesting potential applications in education, politics, and everyday decision-making, indicating they perceive this as highly influential.

Abstract in brief

Using a foreign language helps reduce common decision-making biases like the framing effect and loss aversion, making choices more rational.
Experiments show that people are less influenced by how options are presented (gains vs. losses) when they use a foreign language, leading to more consistent decision-making.
The reason behind this is that a foreign language creates cognitive and emotional distance, which lessens the automatic biases and emotional reactions that typically influence decisions in one's native language.]

Read the full abstract

All mentions

How Learning Languages Alters Brain Structure and Function

Your brain changes as you learn new languages. Using a foreign language reduces decision biases by creating cognitive and emotional distance, leading to more rational choices. This effect is supported by various studies…

CuriosaMente · Sep 25, 2020 6,234,182 views

Foreign Language Use Enhances Rational Decision-Making and Reduces Biases

Using a foreign language helps reduce decision-making biases like framing effects and loss aversion, leading to more rational choices. Experiments show less influence from presentation of options when thinking in a…

Простые Мысли · Nov 19, 2018 1,066,715 views

Enhancing Decision Making Through Foreign Language Use

Thinking in a second language can lead to better decision making by reducing biases. This cognitive and emotional distancing lessens automatic influences, resulting in more rational choices. Experiments support these…

Finding Answers · Mar 27, 2023 3,093 views

Benefits of Learning a Language for Brain and Decision Making

Learning a new language can cause your brain to grow, improve perception, delay Alzheimer's, and enhance decision-making by reducing biases through cognitive and emotional distancing.

Poppy's Li'l Planet · Feb 9, 2022 260 views

How Languages Shape Our Thinking and Decision-Making Processes

This video explores how learning new languages influences our perception and decision-making. It highlights experiments showing that speaking in a foreign language can reduce biases and emotional reactions, leading to…

Jimena AR Med · Dec 11, 2019 222 views

The Impact of Foreign Language on Decision-Making Biases

Using a foreign language helps reduce decision biases like framing effects and loss aversion, leading to more rational choices. Experiments show that people are less influenced by presentation styles when speaking a…

LinguAdHoc · Oct 8, 2025 0 views

Gelato

@ShootingSuhail · X

Jul 6, 2025 · 2 likes · 53 followers View post →

見聞録

@Aruki_Mawari · X

外国語を使うことによって、理性的な判断を行うようになるという研究はありますね。 https://t.co/SwmKW5nNQR https://t.co/gu3BVGqWhi

Feb 23, 2025 · 2 likes · 168 followers View post →

50ml

@Approx591856 · X

原著はこちら https://t.co/P0rZB7w0Ii

Sep 28, 2024 · 2 likes · 81 followers View post →

ナスセミ

@nurse_seminar_ · X

母国語ではない第二言語で考えると感情が入らずに合理的な思考ができるそうですシンプルな英語で考えるのが良さそうですね https://t.co/IsRZ955vSi https://t.co/Ele7f690P8

Aug 11, 2024 · 38 followers View post →

うるし

@shpsng · X

RT @ryunosukemuro: 外国語で考えると論理性が上がる、というのはあるらしい。 https://t.co/K27EMtVvsu

Jul 11, 2023 · 1 share · 586 followers View post →

muro

@ryunosukemuro · X

外国語で考えると論理性が上がる、というのはあるらしい。 https://t.co/K27EMtVvsu

Jul 11, 2023 · 8 likes · 1 share · 9,622 followers View post →

2Time Labs / ScheduleU

@2TimeLabs · X

The way we word our tasks influences whether we do them or not https://t.co/IZQy8rBnbQ #scienceoftimemanagement

May 4, 2023 · 518 followers View post →

Josiah Royer

@josiah_royer · X

The study is here https://t.co/mAidk82vqt

Apr 27, 2023 · 467 followers View post →

2Time Labs / ScheduleU

@2TimeLabs · X

The way we word our tasks influences whether we do them or not https://t.co/IZQy8rBnbQ #scienceoftimemanagement

Nov 7, 2022 · 518 followers View post →

2Time Labs / ScheduleU

@2TimeLabs · X

The way we word our tasks influences whether we do them or not https://t.co/IZQy8rBnbQ #scienceoftimemanagement

Jul 1, 2022 · 518 followers View post →

大和博（やまとひろし）@ビジネス英語コーチ

@ushikubou1 · X

需要な意思決定をするときに英語で考えてみるのは良い選択。なぜなら外国語で思考すると、認知バイアスを避けて冷静な判断ができるから。航空業界でも外国語のコミュニケーションが推奨されており、研究結果でも外国語で思考するメリットが示されている。 https://t.co/xu7soFJEPI

Dec 14, 2021 · 1 like · 166 followers View post →

2Time Labs / ScheduleU

@2TimeLabs · X

The way we word our tasks influences whether we do them or not https://t.co/IZQy8rBnbQ #scienceoftimemanagement

Nov 15, 2021 · 518 followers View post →

name?

@nameWhoName · X

The language of thought is such an interesting topic! This article from @UChicago proves that thinking in a foreign language may actually improve decision-making and reduce the emotional biases related to the decision being made. https://t.co/bQoN3fsD0L https://t.co/Vb4mXfCHXk

Aug 30, 2021 · 2,325 followers View post →

む

@std_clam · X

これは「第二言語で条件提示した方がバイアスが排除されがち」って示した研究の1つ。 https://t.co/D1UddLLnnl

Aug 21, 2021 · 1 like · 78 followers View post →

Daniel Tovisi

@tovissy · X

@joepairman @DecisionEducat1 Is this the paper with the study you mentioned? https://t.co/bffd0tCflc By “HOW” I meant that even with a foreign language, if you use it as a de facto 1st language (e.g. work / biz contexts), at some point you start to think in that language. So it might not make a difference.

May 17, 2021 · 186 followers View post →

me chame de icaro

@icaroboto · X

@dimacgarcia @Anitta @rsallesmma se ela consegue falar besteira em 4 idiomas e chamar atenção de ministros, ótimo para ela. pelo que eu vi, ela tá fazendo bem para ela mesmo e de quebra ajuda o Brasil site https://t.co/q86gHPo2y3 fontes https://t.co/YppoCDWrhV https://t.co/qZOrw24j9g tem mais mas entra no site https://t.co/sAjwKtgHgM

Apr 21, 2021 · 446 followers View post →

Tetespumas

@LSamudio · X

Finally found reason for what I’ve been feeling for several years. https://t.co/qMXdlq7vQy

Mar 5, 2021 · 108 followers View post →

2Time Labs / ScheduleU

@2TimeLabs · X

The way we word our tasks influences whether we do them or not https://t.co/IZQy8rBnbQ #scienceoftimemanagement

Dec 28, 2020 · 518 followers View post →

adindachristya

@adindachristya · X

RT @profatitties: Tambahan, bacaan menarik: https://t.co/n1qFhLTx5n https://t.co/f97VWz7IAX https://t.co/P9uMg89kHJ

Jun 1, 2020 · 3 shares · 134 followers View post →

alya

@pleurrnicheuse · X

RT @profatitties: Tambahan, bacaan menarik: https://t.co/n1qFhLTx5n https://t.co/f97VWz7IAX https://t.co/P9uMg89kHJ

Jun 1, 2020 · 3 shares · 431 followers View post →

a y e x

@Alkupra · X

RT @profatitties: Tambahan, bacaan menarik: https://t.co/n1qFhLTx5n https://t.co/f97VWz7IAX https://t.co/P9uMg89kHJ

Jun 1, 2020 · 3 shares · 5,406 followers View post →

Organa

@darthbaper · X

Tambahan, bacaan menarik: https://t.co/n1qFhLTx5n https://t.co/f97VWz7IAX https://t.co/P9uMg89kHJ

Jun 1, 2020 · 26 likes · 3 shares · 19,663 followers View post →

2Time Labs / ScheduleU

@2TimeLabs · X

The way we word our tasks influences whether we do them or not https://t.co/IZQy8rBnbQ #scienceoftimemanagement

May 6, 2020 · 518 followers View post →

Elizabeth Roberts #Remain

@Lizzier459 · X

RT @DanielBarrs2: Bloody Remainer propaganda - sick of it. They'll be teaching French in schools next. Kids won't be able to understand us!…

Dec 3, 2019 · 7 shares · 4,447 followers View post →

Santiago

@AnalystSantiago · X

RT @AnalystSantiago: The Foreign Language Effect: Thinking in a Foreign Tongue Reduces Decision Biases Boaz Keysar, Sayuri L. Hayakawa, Sun…

Dec 3, 2019 · 1 share · 6,638 followers View post →

Santiago

@AnalystSantiago · X

The Foreign Language Effect: Thinking in a Foreign Tongue Reduces Decision Biases Boaz Keysar, Sayuri L. Hayakawa, Sun Gyu An, 2012 https://t.co/v2O43GNJ0E

Dec 3, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 6,638 followers View post →

Malc Aindow

@mainmarine · X

RT @DanielBarrs2: Bloody Remainer propaganda - sick of it. They'll be teaching French in schools next. Kids won't be able to understand us!…

Dec 2, 2019 · 7 shares · 2,466 followers View post →

Martin Thompson

@martin97903661 · X

RT @DanielBarrs2: Bloody Remainer propaganda - sick of it. They'll be teaching French in schools next. Kids won't be able to understand us!…

Dec 2, 2019 · 7 shares · 3,396 followers View post →

Sister Kaff

@SisterKaff · X

RT @DanielBarrs2: Bloody Remainer propaganda - sick of it. They'll be teaching French in schools next. Kids won't be able to understand us!…

Dec 2, 2019 · 7 shares · 3,983 followers View post →

HABTerminal #FBPA

@HABTerminal · X

RT @DanielBarrs2: Bloody Remainer propaganda - sick of it. They'll be teaching French in schools next. Kids won't be able to understand us!…

Dec 2, 2019 · 7 shares · 648 followers View post →

Wales@TheUnitedNations

@WalesAtTheUN · X

RT @DanielBarrs2: Bloody Remainer propaganda - sick of it. They'll be teaching French in schools next. Kids won't be able to understand us!…

Dec 2, 2019 · 7 shares · 3,818 followers View post →

Mel Vincent

@MelMelly1958 · X

RT @DanielBarrs2: Bloody Remainer propaganda - sick of it. They'll be teaching French in schools next. Kids won't be able to understand us!…

Dec 2, 2019 · 7 shares · 2,001 followers View post →

Irene Hughes

@IreneHu30034513 · X

RT @DanielBarrs2: Bloody Remainer propaganda - sick of it. They'll be teaching French in schools next. Kids won't be able to understand us!…

Dec 2, 2019 · 7 shares · 1,104 followers View post →

Danny Barrs

@DanielBarrs2 · X

Dec 2, 2019 · 25 likes · 7 shares · 7,203 followers View post →

mobilEKG

@MobilEKG · X

The foreign-language effect: thinking in a foreign tongue reduces decision biases. https://t.co/Xi2PNBxiB9

Sep 13, 2019 · 15 followers View post →

2Time Labs / ScheduleU

@2TimeLabs · X

The way we word our tasks influences whether we do them or not https://t.co/IZQy8rBnbQ #scienceoftimemanagement

May 1, 2019 · 518 followers View post →

Daily Linguistics

@DailyLinguis · X

The foreign language effect is the idea that people make less biased decisions when they think in a foreign language. This is thought to happen because people might need to exert more effort or because emotional words are attenuated in a foreign language. https://t.co/NM9gJPYWor

Apr 22, 2019 · 62 followers View post →

や

@Nu_Lens · X

The Foreign-Language Effect: Thinking in a Foreign Tongue Reduces Decision Biases https://t.co/pSE8P7TMnb

Apr 3, 2019 · 1 like · 63 followers View post →

matthieu chevrier

@matt__chv · X

The Foreign-Language Effect: Thinking in a Foreign Tongue Reduces Decision Biases - Boaz Keysar, Sayuri L. Hayakawa, Sun Gyu An, 2012 https://t.co/kfZOzlSF4i

Mar 4, 2019 · 27 followers View post →

Friederike Röder

@FredRoder · X

Fascinating : The foreign-language effect: thinking in a foreign tongue reduces decision biases.

Feb 22, 2019 · 1 like · 4,215 followers View post →

Psikolog İclal Gözcü Atayay

@iclalGozcu · X

Karar verirken farklı bir dil konuşmak veya düşünmek, yapılan seçimlerde hata yapma oranını azaltabilir. Kaynak: The Foreign-Language Effect Thinking in a Foreign Tongue Reduces Decision Biases https://t.co/3yHyog85hl #Çarşamba https://t.co/ptZwwbJfi8

Feb 20, 2019 · 1 like · 1,537 followers View post →

The foreign-language effect: thinking in a foreign tongue reduces decision biases.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

How Learning Languages Alters Brain Structure and Function

Foreign Language Use Enhances Rational Decision-Making and Reduces Biases

Enhancing Decision Making Through Foreign Language Use

Benefits of Learning a Language for Brain and Decision Making

How Languages Shape Our Thinking and Decision-Making Processes

The Impact of Foreign Language on Decision-Making Biases