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Abstract

Aims and objectives:

Personality psychologists argue that personality is the result of nature and nurture. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the latter. The present study considers the effect of multilingualism, a social factor, on personality.

Methodology:

A total of 651 multilinguals from around the world filled out an online questionnaire containing questions about participants’ language profile and a so-called “Big 5” questionnaire: the Multicultural Personality Questionnaire (short form).

Data and analysis:

Correlation analyses were run between the level of multilingualism of participants and their scores on five personality traits. A parceled structural equation model was then used to examine the influence of multilingualism on three personality subscales.

Findings:

The model indicated significant positive path coefficients between the level of multilingualism and Flexibility, Social Initiative and Open-mindedness.

Significance:

Our findings confirm and expand earlier research that showed that multilingualism/multiculturalism can be considered to be enduring environmental factors that contribute to the shaping of personality profiles.

Keywords

Multilingualism flexibility social initiative open-mindedness emotional stability cultural empathy

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Does multilingualism shape personality? An exploratory investigation

Abstract

Aims and objectives:

Methodology:

Data and analysis:

Findings:

Significance:

Keywords

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References