Do Executive Functions Show a Declining Trend in the 50's in Bilinguals? Evidence from Alternating Verbal Fluency...

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to compare the performance of younger and older bilinguals in cross-category alternating verbal fluency task in L1and L2 individually. Materials and Method: This is a cross-sectional study with a total of 60 participants in two age groups that is, between 18 to 30 years and 50 to 60 years. They were considered for performing cross-category alternating verbal fluency task in L1 and cross-category alternating verbal fluency task in L2. The tasks were counterbalanced in terms of order of administration throughout the sample. Statistical Analysis: Shapiro-Wilk test and Mann-Whitney U test were performed. Results: Older bilinguals exhibited poorer performance compared to younger bilinguals in the number of correct responses in cross-category alternating verbal fluency task in L1 and cross-category alternating verbal fluency task in L2. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the adverse effect of age on executive functions in bilinguals can be observed even before 60 years and that the cross-category alternating verbal fluency task is efficient in tapping even a slight decline in executive function in an individual's 50's.