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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
05:31
Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task
Published on: February 26, 2020
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Cognitive control and word recognition speed influence the Stroop effect in bilinguals
Ruiming Wang1, Xiaoyue Fan1,2, Cong Liu1
1Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
Summary
Proficient bilinguals exhibit reduced Stroop interference due to combined enhanced cognitive control and slower word recognition. This finding clarifies the interplay between these factors in bilingual language processing.
Area of Science:
- Psycholinguistics
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Bilingualism Research
Background:
- Bilinguals often display reduced Stroop interference compared to monolinguals.
- The underlying mechanisms driving this difference, specifically the roles of cognitive control and word recognition, remain debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contributions of cognitive control and word recognition speed to Stroop susceptibility in bilinguals.
- To differentiate the effects in proficient versus non-proficient Chinese-English bilinguals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Simon arrow task to assess cognitive control.
- Employed a Chinese/English word recognition task to measure word recognition speed.
- Administered a verbal Stroop task to evaluate Stroop susceptibility.
Main Results:
- Proficient bilinguals demonstrated superior cognitive control and varied word recognition speeds (slower for Chinese, faster for English).
- Proficient bilinguals showed a smaller Stroop effect in Chinese but not in English compared to non-proficient bilinguals.
- Neither cognitive control nor word recognition speed alone explained the reduced Stroop effect.
Conclusions:
- The Stroop effect in bilinguals is jointly determined by cognitive control and word recognition speed.
- Enhanced cognitive control and delayed word recognition synergistically reduce Stroop interference in bilinguals.
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