Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
05:31
Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task
Published on: February 26, 2020
15.8K
Bilingualism alters children's frontal lobe functioning for attentional control
Maria M Arredondo1, Xiao-Su Hu2, Teresa Satterfield2,3
1Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, USA.
Developmental Science
|January 9, 2016
Summary
Early bilingualism in children enhances cognitive abilities, particularly attentional control. Brain imaging reveals bilinguals show increased left prefrontal cortex activation, suggesting significant impacts on cognitive development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Linguistic Studies
Background:
- Bilingualism is common, but its effects on children's cognitive and brain development are not fully understood.
- Existing theories propose bilingualism enhances cognitive functions linked to the frontal lobe.
- Behavioral studies on bilingualism's cognitive impact yield conflicting results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of early bilingualism on children's frontal lobe development and attentional control.
- To compare brain activation patterns in bilingual and monolingual children during an attentional task.
Main Methods:
- Utilized functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity.
- Compared Spanish-English bilingual children (n=13, ages 7-13) with age-matched English monolingual children (n=14).
- Assessed brain activation during a non-verbal attentional control task.
Main Results:
- Bilingual children exhibited greater left prefrontal cortex activation compared to monolinguals.
- Monolingual children showed greater right prefrontal cortex activation than bilingual children.
- Findings indicate altered functional organization of the prefrontal cortex in bilingual children for attentional control.
Conclusions:
- Early bilingualism significantly modifies the functional organization of the prefrontal cortex in children for attentional control.
- These findings contribute to understanding how early life experiences shape cognition and brain development.
- Suggests bilingualism may confer specific neural advantages in executive functions.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Language and Cognition
944
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
944
01:28Lateralization
1.3K
Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.
1.3K
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
1.3K
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
1.3K
01:22Language Development
1.0K
Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
1.0K
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
4.1K
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
4.1K
01:30Information Processing Approach
752
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
752