Probing the role of multilingualism and working memory in cross-situational word learning.

Abstract

Cross-situational word learning (CSWL), the ability to resolve word-referent ambiguity across encounters, is a powerful mechanism found in infants, children, and adults. Yet, we know little about what predicts individual differences in CSWL, especially when learning different mapping structures, such as when referents have a single name (1:1 mapping structure) or two names (2:1 mapping structure). Here, we investigated how multilingual experience and working memory skills (visuo-spatial and phonological) contributed to CSWL of 1:1 and 2:1 structures. Monolingual (n = 78) and multilingual (n = 106) adults completed CSWL tasks of 1:1 and 2:1 structures, a symmetry span task, and a listening span task. Results from path models showed that multilingualism predicted visuo-spatial working memory but not CSWL. Additionally, phonological working memory predicted accuracy on CSWL of 1:1 structure, but not 2:1 structure. Findings highlight the importance of considering language experience and cognitive skills together to better understand the factors that promote individual CSWL skills. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).