Comparing Mandarin-English bilinguals and English monolinguals on executive function tasks

Abstract

Previous studies report mixed evidence regarding bilinguals' cognitive advantage in inhibition and other executive function (EF) tasks compared to monolinguals. This study aims to replicate previous research on Mandarin-English bilinguals. Forty-four participants (22 English monolinguals & 22 Mandarin-English bilinguals) were recruited to complete four EF tasks: Simon, Stroop, Letter-Number Switching and Color-Shape Switching (Cued). The Simon and Stroop tests target inhibition by examining responses to trials with compatible versus incompatible information, and the switching task targets attention shifting skills by examining responses to trials that were repetitive versus changing. Reaction time and response accuracy were the dependent measures. In the Simon task, bilinguals responded significantly slower overall than monolinguals, although there was a significantly larger difference between compatible versus incompatible trials in monolinguals. The Stroop task revealed no group differences or interaction effects. For the switching tasks, bilinguals had a significantly higher percentage accuracy overall than monolinguals in the Letter-Number Switching task with no significant group differences found in reaction time. No significant group differences were found in both measures for the Color-Shape Switching (Cued) task. Overall, we report weak evidence of enhanced EF skills in Mandarin-English bilinguals and the results will be discussed in relation to previous studies.