Using a foreign language increases risk-taking in medical decisions but not due to attenuated emotional responses

Abstract

People take more risks when deciding in their foreign language. In three lab experiments (N=424), we explored two explanations of this phenomenon: reduced anticipation of regret, or increased accessibility of risk-increasing thoughts. Participants in native and foreign language considered two prenatal tests: a less sensitive but safe, and a more sensitive one – their task was to specify the level of risk of miscarriage of the more sensitive test while still choosing it. Three studies demonstrated greater willingness to take risks in a foreign language but this effect was not mediated by changes in the accessibility of thoughts or anticipated regret.

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