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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task

Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task

Published on: February 26, 2020

Cognitive control in bilinguals: Proficiency and code-switching both matter.

Souad Kheder¹, Edith Kaan¹

¹Department of Linguistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.

|January 15, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Frequent code-switching in bilinguals improves accuracy and conflict adaptation. L2 proficiency also impacts cognitive control, suggesting bilingualism is a spectrum affecting cognitive functioning.

Keywords:

Bilingualism Code-switching Cognitive control Cognitive control adaptation Inhibition L2 Proficiency.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience
Linguistics

Background:

Bilingualism's impact on cognitive control is complex.
Previous research often overlooks language usage and proficiency levels.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how code-switching frequency and L2 proficiency affect cognitive control.
To determine if these factors interact in influencing cognitive performance.

Main Methods:

134 bilingual participants completed the Simon task.
Analysis focused on accuracy, response times, and Simon effect.
Independent variables: code-switching frequency and L2 proficiency.

Main Results:

Frequent code-switching correlated with fewer errors and improved accuracy.
L2 proficiency modulated the Simon effect and interacted with code-switching frequency.
Highly proficient, frequent code-switchers showed superior conflict adaptation.

Conclusions:

Bilinguals exhibit diverse cognitive control abilities.
Both language proficiency and usage patterns are crucial for understanding bilingualism's cognitive effects.
Bilingualism exists on a continuum, influencing cognitive functioning through various factors.