Most young children are essentialists: They believe that human and animal characteristics are innate. That kind of reasoning can lead them to think that traits like native language and clothing preference are intrinsic rather than acquired.
But a new study from Concordia University psychology professor Krista Byers-Heinlein suggests that certain bilingual kids are more likely to understand that it’s what one learns, rather than what one is born with, that makes up a person’s psychological attributes.
News of the research was picked up by a variety of outlets, including: Business Standard, Psych Central, Red Orbit, One News Page, Science 2.0, Web India, ZME Science, Academia, EurekAlert, Science Newsline, Science Daily, Health Canal, News 8 India, Business Standard, (e)Science News, Z News India, Topix, Jersey Tribune, Lockerdome, Yahoo, My Informs, Medical Xpress, psych-assist.com, theneeds.com, New Day, Chennaionline, Newhub (English), Tasnim, Failed Messiah, CyperPunk, Big News Network, Macro Insider, Vancouver Desi, Bio Portfolio, The Boston Globe, tvanouvelles.ca, Canoe, AMEQ, CJAD and radio-monaco.com.