Working memory capacity and structure in monolinguals and bilinguals

Abstract

ABSTRACT Working memory (WM) is memory for processing information for a short time. WM models often distinguish between verbal and visual stores. It is debated whether knowing more than one language leads to advantages in WM capacity. In this study, we tested whether there are WM capacity or structure differences in monolingual and bilingual adults. We predicted: bilinguals would have greater WM capacity and show greater integration between verbal and visuospatial memory than monolinguals. Sixty monolingual and 101 bilingual adults performed verbal and visuospatial WM tasks, both forward and backward. The results showed little difference in WM capacity between groups. Principal component analysis revealed two WM components for the bilingual group: visual WM and verbal WM. In contrast, only one WM component was observed among monolinguals. These results suggest greater specialisation in WM modality among bilinguals. Future research will test whether these differences are causally linked to the acquisition of two languages.