The effect of first or second language use in international peace negotiations in relation to persuasive appeals used for influencing attitude, willingness to cooperate and decision-making.

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2021-06-07
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en
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This study aims to investigate the effect of first or second language use in relation to persuasive appeals on attitude towards an opposing party, the willingness to cooperate and decision-making in an international peace negotiation setting. Participants were required to be between the age of 21 and 67 and to have Dutch as their firs language (L1) and English as a their second language (L2). The research was conducted through an online survey including a role play in which participants represented a non-existing country that was in conflict with another country. Participants were first given initial information about, who the participant represented, who the opposing party was, what the conflict revolved around and the offered solution by the opposing party. After answering questions regarding their attitude, willingness to cooperate and decision on the offered solution, additional information was given. The information and arguments provided by the opposing party were divided into four categories: the additional information was either in Dutch or English and contained either emotional or informative appeals. The attitude, willingness to cooperate and the final decision were measured again after receiving the additional information. In spite of predictions that there would be an effect of L2 use on the emotional appeal, in which L2 use would lead to a lower attitude, lower willingness to cooperate and more rejections of the proposal of the other party, no statistically significant effects were found. Furthermore, the emotional appeals were not significantly more effective than the informational appeals. However, this study serves as a starting point for a new domain of research.
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Faculteit der Letteren