Abstract
Abstract This study investigated how natural language use influences inhibition in language-unbalanced bilinguals. We experimentally induced natural patterns of language use (as proposed by the Adaptive Control Hypothesis) and assessed their cognitive after-effects in a group of 32 Polish–English bilinguals. Each participant took part in a series of three language games involving real conversation. Each game was followed by two inhibition tasks (stop-signal task and Stroop task). The manipulation of language use in the form of language games did not affect the behavioural measures, but it did affect ERPs. Performance of the inhibition tasks was accompanied by a reduction of P3 and the N450 amplitude differences after games involving the use of L2. The ERP modulations suggest that for bilinguals living in an L1 context the use of L2 enhances neural mechanisms related to inhibition. The study provides the first evidence for a direct influence of natural language use on inhibition.
Highlights
There is general agreement in the literature that bilingualism involves the workings of cognitive control, i.e., a collection of top-down processes responsible for achieving goal-directed behaviour in the face of distraction (Bialystok, 2017; Green, 1998; Kroll, Dussias, Bogulski & Kroff, 2012)
This proposal is supported by prominent models of bilingual language control which posit that bilinguals need to recruit domain-general inhibition mechanisms in order to reduce interference between constantly active languages (Inhibitory Control Model; Green, 1998; Bilingual Interactive Activation Model; Grainger, Midgley & Holcomb, 2010; Grainger & Dijkstra, 1992; Green, 1998; see van Heuven & Dijkstra, 2010)
This study investigated how natural patterns of language use shape inhibition efficiency in L1-dominant bilinguals living in an L1 environment
Summary
There is general agreement in the literature that bilingualism involves the workings of cognitive control, i.e., a collection of top-down processes responsible for achieving goal-directed behaviour in the face of distraction (Bialystok, 2017; Green, 1998; Kroll, Dussias, Bogulski & Kroff, 2012). This proposal is supported by prominent models of bilingual language control which posit that bilinguals need to recruit domain-general inhibition mechanisms in order to reduce interference between constantly active languages (Inhibitory Control Model; Green, 1998; Bilingual Interactive Activation Model; Grainger, Midgley & Holcomb, 2010; Grainger & Dijkstra, 1992; Green, 1998; see van Heuven & Dijkstra, 2010). This continuous management of multiple languages is proposed to develop and enhance the cognitive control system. The ADAPTIVE CONTROL HYPOTHESIS (Green & Abutalebi, 2013; ACH hereafter) proposes that different patterns of language use act as a cognitive training, triggering different adaptive changes in the cognitive control system
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