Abstract
Previous studies have suggested a bilingual advantage in cognitive control as a result of the bilinguals’ language experience. However, the results are controversial as there are various factors (language proficiency, SES, culture, and intelligence, etc.) affecting cognitive control. In the current study, after between-group comparisons, we adopted a within-group approach by multiple regressions to investigate whether the performance by 10-to-75-year-old participants (N = 91) of tasks measuring inhibition, monitoring, and mental set shifting could be predicted by bilingualism, or demographic factors, or both. The results of multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that L2 proficiency was a significant predictor for conflict monitoring and inhibition, education and age were significant predictors for mental set shifting, and SES was a minor predictor for inhibition. These findings provide evidence that cognitive control is affected by both bilingualism and demographic factors. Future studies are encouraged to further identify the relationship between bilingualism and cognitive control from specific bilingual experience.
Highlights
Bilingualism is a common phenomenon, which includes both simultaneous bilinguals who learn two languages simultaneously at early age, and sequential bilinguals who learn a second or foreign language after the acquisition of the first language
It is reported that when bilinguals intend to use the target language, the non-target language is activated in the brain (Abutalebi and Green, 2007; Kroll et al, 2008; Hoshino and Thierry, 2011), so in order to successfully use the target language, an Bilingualism, Demographics, and Cognitive Control
In a sample of 91 participants including English monolinguals, Chinese monolinguals, and Chinese-English bilinguals, we found that L2 proficiency was a significant predictor for cognitive control, in conflict monitoring and inhibition but not in mental set shifting
Summary
Bilingualism is a common phenomenon, which includes both simultaneous bilinguals who learn two languages simultaneously at early age, and sequential bilinguals who learn a second or foreign language after the acquisition of the first language. Previous research shows that bilinguals have advantage over monolingual counterparts in cognitive control (Peal and Lambert, 1962; Bialystok et al, 2004, 2009; Costa et al, 2009; Prior and Gollan, 2011). Later research shows that bilingual advantage can be reflected in neural physiological studies in that bilinguals preserve higher efficiency in neural networks in terms of the density/volume of gray or white matter compared to monolinguals, which is assumed to delay cognitive aging (Gold et al, 2013; Abutalebi and Clahsen, 2014; Abutalebi et al, 2014; Olsen et al, 2015). It is reported that when bilinguals intend to use the target language, the non-target language is activated in the brain (Abutalebi and Green, 2007; Kroll et al, 2008; Hoshino and Thierry, 2011), so in order to successfully use the target language, an Bilingualism, Demographics, and Cognitive Control
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
