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Inhibitory Control Partially Mediates the Relationship between Metalinguistic Awareness and Perspective-Taking
Ester Navarro1, Eleonora Rossi2
1Department of Psychology, St. John's University, Queens, New York, USA. navarre1@stjohns.edu.
Journal of Psycholinguistic Research
|September 26, 2024
Summary
Metalinguistic awareness (MLA) aids theory of mind tasks, but its role in adults is complex. Inhibitory control partially explains this link, though cultural and linguistic factors also play a significant role.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Linguistics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Metalinguistic awareness (MLA) is theorized to enhance theory of mind (ToM) performance, particularly in bilinguals.
- This proposed link suggests MLA offers a less effortful route for perspective-taking compared to executive control.
- Existing evidence is limited, primarily focusing on child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if individual differences in MLA predict perspective-taking ToM in adults.
- To examine the role of inhibitory control in the relationship between MLA and ToM.
- To assess these relationships across diverse adult populations considering linguistic, socioeconomic, and cognitive factors.
Main Methods:
- Employed bootstrapped mediation analyses to examine predictive relationships.
- Assessed MLA and perspective-taking Theory of Mind in a diverse adult sample.
- Controlled for variables including language, education, and culture.
Main Results:
- Inhibitory control partially mediated the association between MLA and perspective-taking.
- The influence of both MLA and inhibitory control on perspective-taking diminished when controlling for language, education, and culture.
- Individual differences in MLA predict ToM, but this relationship is complex and influenced by other factors.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights that inhibitory control is a partial mediator, not the sole mechanism, linking MLA to perspective-taking.
- Linguistic, educational, and cultural factors significantly modulate the relationship between MLA, inhibitory control, and Theory of Mind.
- A multivariate approach is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying Theory of Mind.
Keywords:
Executive functionsInhibitory controlMediation analysisMetalinguistic awarenessPerspective-takingSocial cognitionTheory of mindMore Related Videos
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