This study investigates how a foreign language impacts social norms. We tested this by comparing the magnitude of response differences between norm-violating and norm-adhering behaviors in native language versus foreign language. In experiment 1, participants indicated the acceptability of third-person black and white lies in either their native or foreign language on a Likert scale. In experiment 2, participants indicated their first-person intentions to tell black and white lies on a Likert scale. Experiment 3 conceptually replicated experiment 1 on a slider scale, testing white lies and blunt truths. In experiment 4, participants provided dichotomous yes–no decisions to tell black and white lies. Results revealed a significant reduction of acceptability ratings in experiments 1 and 3 while only showing such a trend in experiments 2 and 4, suggesting language impacts particularly descriptive social norms. Collectively, these findings provide insight into how a foreign language diminishes the influence of social norms.

中文翻译：

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通过谎言了解外语对社会规范的影响


这项研究调查了外语如何影响社会规范。我们通过比较母语与外语中违反规范和遵守规范行为之间的反应差异程度来对此进行测试。在实验 1 中，参与者通过李克特量表表明了他们的母语或外语中的第三人称黑白谎言的可接受性。在实验 2 中，参与者以李克特量表表达了他们以第一人称的方式说黑白谎言的意图。实验 3 在概念上重复了实验 1，测试了善意的谎言和直言不讳的事实。在实验 4 中，参与者提供了黑白谎言的二分是非决定。结果显示，实验 1 和 3 中的可接受性评级显着下降，而实验 2 和 4 中仅显示出这种趋势，这表明语言尤其影响描述性社会规范。总的来说，这些发现让我们深入了解外语如何减少社会规范的影响。