Graduation Date
5-2019
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Psychology
Director of the Honors Program
Lynn Sondag, MFA
First Reader
Afshin Gharib, PhD
Second Reader
Alison Howard, MA
Abstract
Knowing multiple languages, having a higher level of emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity are positive traits to carry in today’s globalizing world. The present study looked at emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity levels between monolinguals and multilinguals. Participants participated through an electronic survey that included demographic questions pertaining to participant’s language knowledge, and standardized measures for emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. Results did not indicate a statistically significant relationship of emotional intelligence between monolinguals and multilinguals. The relationship of cultural sensitivity between monolinguals and multilinguals was also not found to be statistically significant. However, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between cultural sensitivity subscales and emotional intelligence subscales. Cultural sensitivity and emotional intelligence levels do not rise or fall depending on how many languages an individual knows. Nevertheless, an individual that has a high level of cultural sensitivity is also bound to have a high level of emotional intelligence.