Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task
Published on: February 26, 2020
Verbal intelligence in bilinguals when measured in L1 and L2
Alfredo Ardila1, Alexandra Lopez-Recio1, Ariel Sakowitz1
1a Communication Sciences and Disorders, Florida International University , Miami , Florida , USA.
Abstract:
This study was aimed at studying the Verbal IQ in two groups of Spanish/English bilinguals: simultaneous and early sequential bilinguals. 48 Spanish/English bilinguals born in the U.S. or Latin American countries but moving to United States before the age of 10 were selected. The verbal subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (English and Spanish) - Third Edition (WAIS-III) was administered. Overall, performance was significantly better in English for both groups of bilinguals. Verbal IQ difference when tested in Spanish and English was about one standard deviation higher in English for simultaneous bilinguals, and about half standard deviation for early sequential bilinguals. In both groups, Verbal IQ in English was about 100; considering the level of education of our sample (bachelor degree, on average), it can be assumed that Verbal IQ in English was lower than expected, suggesting that bilinguals may be penalized even when evaluated in the dominant language.
Related Concept Videos
Measures of Intelligence
Validity refers to how well a test measures what it claims to measure. An intelligence test should accurately assess intelligence rather than another characteristic, like anxiety. Criterion validity is one way to evaluate this;...
Binet's Contribution to Measures of Intelligence
Wechsler's Contribution to Measures of Intelligence
Non-Verbal Cues
Channels of Non-Verbal Communication
Intelligence

