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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task

Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task

Published on: February 26, 2020

Bilingual control: sequential memory in language switching.

Mathieu Declerck¹, Andrea M Philipp, Iring Koch

¹Institute of Psychology, RWTH Aachen University.

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition

|June 19, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study reveals that switching between languages, even with predictable sequences, incurs performance costs. These bilingual language control costs are reduced with more preparation time, supporting proactive interference models.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience
Psycholinguistics

Background:

Bilingual language control research traditionally uses object naming tasks with explicit cues.
Previous studies have not fully explored language switching with predictable, memory-based response sequences.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate bilingual language control using a novel sequence-based paradigm.
To examine language switching costs in predictable, memory-based response sequences.
To determine the effect of preparation time on language switching costs.

Main Methods:

Developed and implemented a sequence-based language switching paradigm across four experiments.
Utilized memory-based sequential responses (e.g., weekdays, numbers, novel sequences).
Investigated alternating language sequences (e.g., L1-L1-L2-L2) and varied preparation times.

Main Results:

Confirmed the existence of switch costs (impaired performance after a language switch) and mixing costs (performance difference between pure and mixed blocks).
Observed these costs even with predictable language and conceptual responses.
Found that switch costs decreased with increased preparation time.

Conclusions:

Language switching, even in predictable contexts, incurs cognitive costs.
Findings support proactive interference models, such as the inhibitory control model, in explaining bilingual language control.
Preparation time is a crucial factor in mitigating language switching costs.