Researchers from the University of Chicago found that people were less likely to be exposed to disinformation if the message was presented in a non-native language. Research published Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.
In a study of 120 native Chinese speakers who also spoke English, they listened to a list of related words in both languages. For example, the participants “sleep”, “sleep”, “bed”, “rest”, etc. They were then asked if a particular word, such as “tree,” had been said. The researchers found that when people use their native language, they are more likely to think that a particular word that is not actually on the list is on the list.
In the second experiment, native Chinese speakers watched silent videos of the crime. They then listened to the relevant audio stories, one in English and one in Chinese. The stories were full of details of the crime – some were true, some were not. When participants were asked what they remembered, they were more likely to remember incorrect details told in their own language.
Scientists suggest that resistance to misinformation is associated with greater thought control when using a non-native language, while the brain uses a less automatic and instinctive system. The results can be of great importance for legal and political decision-making.
“Hundreds of millions of migrants, refugees and people live in a country where they have to speak a non-native language. It turns out that this actually improves their ability to distinguish false memories from true memories,” the authors said.
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