China-born bilingual University of Waterloo students described themselves in either English or Chinese.Their English-language self-descriptions were characterized by ________ self-statements and their Chinese-language self-descriptions were characterized by ________ self-statements.
A) mostly positive;equally positive and negative
B) mostly negative;equally positive and negative
C) equally positive and negative;mostly positive
D) equally positive and negative;mostly negative

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that individuals from collectivistic cultures, such as China, tend to use more modest and humble self-descriptions in their native language, while using more positive self-descriptions in a second language like English, which is associated with individualism. Therefore, the students' English-language self-descriptions were mostly positive, while their Chinese-language self-descriptions were equally balanced between positive and negative statements. A is the only option that reflects this pattern.

China-Born Bilingual University of Waterloo Students Described Themselves in Either