PLoS One January 2015 PMID 24760073

Your morals depend on language.

Albert Costa, Alice Foucart, Sayuri Hayakawa, Melina Aparici, Jose Apesteguia, Joy Heafner, Boaz Keysar

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Mentions

167

Peak: 20 in Oct 2019

across 7 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

301,686

potential audience

Total likes

252

Video views

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

News52 articles
X / Twitter51 posts
Facebook35 posts
Blogs22 articles
Reddit4 posts
YouTube2 videos
Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The digital discussions heavily reference the article 'Your Morals Depend on Language,' with posts mentioning how language affects rationality and emotional responses in moral dilemmas, such as the trolley problem; words like 'fascinating' and questions about better decision-making illustrate both high interest and engagement, while the acknowledgment of the study’s implications indicates a recognition of its potential impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the findings of the publication, with many accepting that language influences moral decisions.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high interest, engaging with examples, raising questions, and referencing other studies related to morality and language.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several posts attempt to interpret the research, question implications, and relate it to real-world dilemmas, showing active involvement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest the publication prompts reflection on moral reasoning and decision-making, indicating a moderate societal and academic impact.

Abstract in brief

The article explores how people's moral decisions are influenced by whether they are using their native language or a foreign language, specifically in ethical dilemmas like sacrificing one person to save many.
It finds that people tend to make more utilitarian (cost-effective) choices when using a foreign language because it reduces emotional responses and intuitive feelings that typically influence moral judgments.
The study suggests that the psychological distance created by a foreign language can lead to more utilitarian morality, highlighting how factors unrelated to core moral principles can significantly impact decision-making.]

Read the full abstract

All mentions

The Impact of Emotional Intelligence in ELT Classroom Dynamics

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Jano Garza

@ElJaano · X

Los 5 beneficios que NO quieren que sepas de los videojuegos

Oct 26, 2025 · 1 like · 259 followers View post →

673219

@JJJ__YUO · X

مثير للسخرية بس هذا الموضوع له تفسير علمي ما ابغى اطول بالشرح بس المهتم يقرأ الي تحت هذا البوست وهذي الدراسة المثبتة: https://t.co/cVr1xVmatW https://t.co/dRZudX8Z3j

Mar 10, 2025 · 1 like · 12 followers View post →

BinDerStefan

@binderstefan.bsky.social · Bluesky

Your morals depend on language journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...

Mar 2, 2025 · 3 likes · 1 share View post →

PsikoBilim

@Psikobilim_ · X

Çalışmanın adresi: https://t.co/proPWZUkfi

Aug 3, 2024 · 10 likes · 1 share · 86,414 followers View post →

Lawliet

@REPLawliet · X

Ya que vi que hablaban sobre moralidad: https://t.co/8aLuFxxndg https://t.co/ZjojshBOs5 Mi conclusión: La moral se construye, tanto como concepto como herencia evolutiva.

Jun 17, 2024 · 372 followers View post →

катюшка продуктивности

@katekrlv · X

@kislayaaa1 @zstardustandme Вот такое например! https://t.co/Aq6fv7rn4W

Mar 14, 2024 · 3 likes · 249 followers View post →

مُحَمَدْ

@mohdom6 · X

والتعاطف مثل: هل تسحب عتلة القطار لتقتل واحدا مربوطا على تحويلة السكة بدل خمسة سيدهسهم القطار إن لم تفعل، يرجح فيها الخيار العقلاني بنسبة أكبر عند طرحها بلغة أقل الفة عند المسؤل. (Your Morals Depend on Language, Albert Costa, 2014) وهذا سلاح ذو حدين من وجهة يفقد الشخص الاتزان

Jan 7, 2024 · 1 like · 2,562 followers View post →

菲菲❤(兼职|学生|约炮|上门)桑日,扎囊,仁布,康马

@Onaperacaula · X

Des que soc fora que hi penso. Mai havia sigut tan fàcil marcar límits. https://t.co/XOrW2tiJmG

Dec 10, 2023 · 1 like · 171 followers View post →

Victoria Rambaud

@RambaudVictoria · X

Research shows that people respond to ethical questions differently in native or foreign language. If we are aware that using a foreign language affects moral decisions, could we make better informed choices ? #neuroscience https://t.co/v7FDTTasNM

Oct 29, 2023 · 63 followers View post →

Mustafa Erdogan

@turkishpolyglt · X

@erntha Tabii ki. Ana çalışma bu ama farklı varyasyonlarla tekrarlanmış. https://t.co/Z3ov8DEAKG

Oct 11, 2023 · 10 likes · 1,580 followers View post →

Ramon Diaz

@CV33_CAG · X

@adsuara @danimateria @el_pais Un tema tan espinoso como el de la existencia del verdadero altruismo

Aug 19, 2023 · 146 followers View post →

Joaquin Navajas

@joaconavajas · X

@eschargr Mal. Y hay quienes sugieren que somos menos racionales y utilitaristas en nuestro idioma nativo (o viceversa en segunda lengua) https://t.co/zWafUDSLjR

Jul 3, 2023 · 10 likes · 3,749 followers View post →

Philosophers' Links

@philosophylinks · X

RT @minaokukita: 「トロッコ問題」を外国語で提示されると被験者はより功利主義的に（多くの人を救うのが正しいと）判断するという研究がある。https://t.co/qFrihGicuk グリーンの言うように功利主義は感情や直観を抑制した思考を必要とするというなら、…

Jul 4, 2022 · 7 shares · 468 followers View post →

中途知新

@Chishin_Chuto · X

Jun 30, 2022 · 7 shares · 144 followers View post →

佐々木健人

@sskssk0242 · X

Jun 30, 2022 · 7 shares · 604 followers View post →

Philosophers' Links

@philosophylinks · X

Jun 29, 2022 · 7 shares · 468 followers View post →

Takuma SHIRAISHI

@ts7i · X

Jun 29, 2022 · 7 shares · 1,012 followers View post →

Tsukushi Shimizu

@TTegre · X

Jun 29, 2022 · 7 shares · 125 followers View post →

Minao Kukita 久木田水生

@minaokukita · X

Jun 29, 2022 · 19 likes · 7 shares · 2,160 followers View post →

Tabbal

@eltabbal · X

RT @tfburns: @alieninsect Could argue this is shown by ethical responses in native vs. non-native languages: "Your Morals Depend on Langua…

Jun 4, 2022 · 1 share · 218 followers View post →

Tom Burns

@tfburns · X

Jun 4, 2022 · 5 likes · 1 share · 1,872 followers View post →

Francis Villatoro

@emulenews · X

"Are jokes funnier in one's native language" by Catherine Caldwell-Harris et al. https://t.co/k7SikHYxSL "Your Morals Depend on Language" by Albert Costa et al. https://t.co/ralyQKPxw4 Recommended by @BioTay via @Naukas_com

Mar 23, 2022 · 3 likes · 45,107 followers View post →

marcram

@PelBocGros · X

En relación a vuestro programa de hoy @thecaneofspain hablando del footbridge dilemma, parece ser que Damián empujaría al fat guy antes que Kate ;) https://t.co/kvRvBjDNhq

Feb 18, 2022 · 7 followers View post →

Alejandra M. Amigoni Ruiz

@amigoniruiz · X

Trolley dilemma with a twist - Fascinating read! Always available to nerd out about these kinds of studies: https://t.co/FnuYpIZAnP thanks for the link, @martinrue

Mar 1, 2021 · 1 like · 137 followers View post →

Noman Nazir

@ChNomanNazir · X

@ListenHira Your Morals Depend on Language?

May 20, 2020 · 48 followers View post →

GothicPizza

@mythos2545 · X

Hey @tweetsauce. Found this article which focuses on a version of the trolley dilemma but with an emphasis on the role of the native language of the participants. Kinda interesting! Article: https://t.co/B9rFniiO77 Source: https://t.co/nN1C3i6GDg

Mar 28, 2020 · 2 likes · 250 followers View post →

EIJI｜『進化教育学研究室』

@evopeda_ek · X

参考 Albert Costa et al.(2014). Your Morals Depend on Language.

Dec 27, 2019 · 2,294 followers View post →

Zeynep Ataç

@zeynepatacc · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 25, 2019 · 23 shares · 51 followers View post →

Ftm_aa

@Ftm_aa_tlgn · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 25, 2019 · 23 shares · 120 followers View post →

Bar Psikoloğu

@BarPsikologu · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 25, 2019 · 23 shares · 28,369 followers View post →

jülide kaplan

@julidekaplan · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 25, 2019 · 23 shares · 119 followers View post →

H-trader

@KirikDegirmen · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 25, 2019 · 23 shares · 720 followers View post →

lebriz

@lebrizm · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 25, 2019 · 23 shares · 313 followers View post →

Mert 14

@Mert1490699362 · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 25, 2019 · 23 shares · 148 followers View post →

Deniz

@ernesteverhardd · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 25, 2019 · 23 shares · 4,270 followers View post →

Zeynep

@waypofficial · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 25, 2019 · 23 shares · 229 followers View post →

ay sen

@dazedasd · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 24, 2019 · 23 shares · 79 followers View post →

Pınar Örnek

@Ttehanu · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 24, 2019 · 23 shares · 81 followers View post →

fözhan

@fzhan4 · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 24, 2019 · 23 shares · 105 followers View post →

Ulaş

@arthurvandelayy · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 24, 2019 · 23 shares · 88 followers View post →

Duygu Korkmaz

@firtina_kiz30 · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 24, 2019 · 23 shares · 493 followers View post →

kemal durmaz

@kedimiyedi · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 24, 2019 · 23 shares · 713 followers View post →

Margot

@margot09045444 · X

Yabancı dilde, sorunlara daha rasyonel çözümler bulabiliyoruz galiba...kendi dilimiz beraberinde emosyonel süreçleri de getiriyor belki de klasik koşullanma ile... https://t.co/kUYOjAMNfD

Oct 24, 2019 · 38 followers View post →

emel kurma

@emelkurma · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 24, 2019 · 23 shares · 3,828 followers View post →

Blue

@ayparcasihuysuz · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 24, 2019 · 23 shares · 262 followers View post →

Narmonian

@Nihangungoren · X

RT @IKucukparlak: Ahlaki ikilemler yabancı dilde yöneltildiğinde yanıtlar daha faydacı (daha az duygusal, daha mantıklı vs) oluyor. Muhtem…

Oct 24, 2019 · 23 shares · 127 followers View post →

İlker Küçükparlak

@IKucukparlak · X

Oct 24, 2019 · 177 likes · 23 shares · 109,345 followers View post →

AHMAD

@finjjan · X

للإطلاع على التجربة كاملة https://t.co/TuA1wb2QA6

Aug 28, 2019 · 212 followers View post →

Parashurama

@sadavarteauthor · X

@TCDev @j_deepakj @KanchanGupta Dr. Either you are not getting the point or don't want to. Its called Motivated Ignorance. I will repeat. Learn Hindi after one learns their respective language. And here is a research that may give another aspect to learning non mother tongue language, https://t.co/DiIF0F18JR

Jul 30, 2019 · 110 followers View post →

Parashurama

@sadavarteauthor · X

@sankrant What’s your take on this? 2014 research. “Your Morals Depend on Language”. https://t.co/DD0Z0Y5FMu

Jul 29, 2019 · 110 followers View post →

Britta Gompper (www.brittas-deutschtraining.de)

@GompperBritta · X

Moral und Sprache #moral #language https://t.co/PR4jCRH1rl

Apr 15, 2019 · 198 followers View post →

Den Again

@DenActive · X

@actfl Let Sayuri know the diff in foreign language decisions is likely corrolate w *how much a person IDs w the culture & ppl (bonding) of the foreign language the person speaks. Ppl are more likely to have favorable & emotional opinions w those they identify w. https://t.co/bhW3qhHzfZ

Jan 3, 2019 · 38 followers View post →

Your morals depend on language.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

The Impact of Emotional Intelligence in ELT Classroom Dynamics

Scientific Benefits of Video Games on Mental Health and Cognitive Skills