No foreign language effect in Schizotypy: Evidence from German-English bilinguals

Area of Science:

• Psycholinguistics
• Cognitive Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Previous research indicated fewer schizotypal traits in a second language (L2) compared to a mother tongue (L1).
• This phenomenon was linked to the Foreign Language Effect (FLE), suggesting L2 use promotes rational decision-making.
• However, prior evidence was largely anecdotal, with limited large-scale quantitative studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether using a second language reduces reported schizotypal traits.
• To test the hypothesis that the Foreign Language Effect (FLE) influences self-reported schizotypy.
• To examine the relationship between language context and schizotypal personality traits in bilingual individuals.

Main Methods:

• Administered the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire to German-English bilinguals.
• Participants completed the questionnaire in either their L1 (German) or L2 (English).
• Compared self-reported schizotypal traits between the L1 and L2 conditions.

Main Results:

• No significant difference was found in reported schizotypal traits between the L1 and L2 conditions.
• Results did not support the hypothesis that L2 use leads to fewer reported schizotypal traits.
• Bilinguals did not report fewer traits when completing the questionnaire in their second language.

Conclusions:

• The study failed to find evidence supporting the influence of language context on self-reported schizotypy.
• The link between schizotypy and the specific language context may be weaker or less reliable than previously assumed.
• Further research is needed to clarify the complex relationship between bilingualism, cognitive processes, and personality traits.