Search the digital library catalog

Abstract: This thesis explores the impact of foreign language on moral decision making by analyzing the occurrence called Foreign Language Effect (FLE) among Slovenian primary, secondary, and university students. Students were presented with two moral dilemmas (the trolley dilemma and the footbridge dilemma) and presumed that the students would decide on the utilitarian choice in higher number when said dilemmas are presented in foreign language (English) than when they are presented in their native language (Slovene). The study dealt with three separate groups divided by educational level of students that were further split into a control group and a test group. Participants also varied by age, gender, and proficiency in the foreign language. A total of 184 of students participated in the study, responding to moral dilemmas presented in their native language (Slovene) and English. Results indicate that FLE exists as an occurrence among Slovene students across all levels of education but to various degrees. The highest impact of the FLE was viewed among primary school students who are poorer in fluency in the foreign language than both secondary and university students. FLE was more pronounced in the footbridge dilemma than in the trolley dilemma across all educational levels. Gender differences were also noted, with male students showing higher levels of FLE than females. These findings expand our understanding of FLE and add another language group onto the spectrum of foreign language effect research while also highlighting the importance of age, gender, and proficiency in the foreign language on the decision-making process.
Keywords: Foreign Language Effect (FLE), Slovene students, moral decision making, dilemma, utilitarianism
Published in DKUM: 09.01.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
Full text (2,65 MB)