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The foreign-language effect on self-positivity bias: Behavioral and electrophysiological evidence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 December 2022

Wanyu Zhang ,
Yuxin Lan ,
Qian Li ,
Zhao Gao ,
Jiehui Hu  and
Shan Gao Open the ORCID record for Shan Gao [Opens in a new window]
Wanyu Zhang
Affiliation:
School of Foreign Languages, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Yuxin Lan
Affiliation:
College of Foreign Language Education, China West Normal University, Nanchong, China
Qian Li
Affiliation:
School of Foreign Languages, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Zhao Gao
Affiliation:
School of Foreign Languages, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Jiehui Hu
Affiliation:
School of Foreign Languages, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Shan Gao*
Affiliation:
School of Foreign Languages, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
*
Address for correspondence: Shan Gao, School of Foreign Languages, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731 China. E-mail: gaoshan@uestc.edu.cn
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Abstract

Previous research has shown that using foreign languages reduces cognitive biases. Here, we investigate whether this foreign-language effect extends to self-related cognition – in particular, the self-positivity bias, which refers to automatic association of oneself with positive information and has a facilitation role in maintaining mental health. We applied event-related brain potentials and oscillations in the implicit association test where Chinese–English bilinguals responded to category words (self vs. others) and attribute words (positive vs. negative) in either their native language Chinese or their foreign language English. In response to Chinese words, a self-positivity bias occurred, indexed by a positive D-score in reaction times as well as by smaller N200, larger P3-like/LPC responses, and lower alpha desynchronization when self words were associated with positive relative to negative traits. However, the bias was diminished in the English context. Overall, our findings provide important implications for language choices when self-protective mechanisms should be enhanced.

Keywords

foreign-language effectself-positivity biasimplicit association test (IAT)event-related potential (ERP)event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP)
Type
Research Article
Information
Bilingualism: Language and Cognition , Volume 26 , Issue 3 , May 2023 , pp. 570 - 579
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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