Conference Paper Published

Abstract

Personality is a stable trait, but it may be influenced by the language in use, as bilingual speakers may internalize different experiences and values when acquiring these languages. This study investigated the effect of language on neuroticism in Chinese-English bilinguals using a multimethod approach combining self-report questionnaires, behavioral data-based assessments, and electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. Thirty Chinese-English bilingual students completed the Big Five Inventory (BFI) in both languages, responded to questions, and underwent EEG recording during the tasks. The results showed no significant differences in neuroticism scores between the Chinese and English versions of the BFI. However, behavioral data analysis using artificial intelligence (AI) revealed higher neuroticism scores in Chinese responses than in English. EEG analysis indicated differences between languages in the theta and alpha bands during the writing phase. These findings suggest that language may have a more pronounced effect on the implicit expression of personality traits, as reflected in language use and neural activity patterns, but not explicit self-reports. This study contributes to the understanding of the complex relationship between language and personality in bilinguals and highlights the potential of AI-based methods for personality prediction through text analysis.