University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Division
Bilinguals Report More Empathy When Answering in their First Language
Presenter Hometown
Frankfort
Major
Psychology
Department
Psychology
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Sara Incera
Mentor Department
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Powell, Emily G., "Bilinguals Report More Empathy When Answering in their First Language" (2026). University Presentation Showcase Event. 8.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2026/undergraduate/8
Abstract
Bilinguals are often less emotionally involved in their second language. The goal of this experiment was to determine whether answering in Spanish or in English changes the level of extroversion, empathy, and biculturalism of bilingual participants. Participants scored higher on empathy in their first language compared to their second language. Scores of biculturalism and extroversion were not influenced by someone's first language versus their second language. In this experiment, bilinguals (50 English, 10 Spanish) answered an online questionnaire that is half in English and half in Spanish; the survey contained items regarding extroversion, empathy, and biculturalism. The results from this study suggest that bilingual speakers score higher in empathy in their first language compared to their second. These results could add to the debate on the connection between language and emotion. The practical implications of these findings are likely to impact the lives of bilingual people.
Presentation format
Poster
Bilinguals Report More Empathy When Answering in their First Language
Bilinguals are often less emotionally involved in their second language. The goal of this experiment was to determine whether answering in Spanish or in English changes the level of extroversion, empathy, and biculturalism of bilingual participants. Participants scored higher on empathy in their first language compared to their second language. Scores of biculturalism and extroversion were not influenced by someone's first language versus their second language. In this experiment, bilinguals (50 English, 10 Spanish) answered an online questionnaire that is half in English and half in Spanish; the survey contained items regarding extroversion, empathy, and biculturalism. The results from this study suggest that bilingual speakers score higher in empathy in their first language compared to their second. These results could add to the debate on the connection between language and emotion. The practical implications of these findings are likely to impact the lives of bilingual people.
