Bilingualism and age are continuous variables that influence executive function

ABSTRACT

We analyzed the effects of bilingualism and age on executive function. We examined these variables along a continuum, as opposed to dichotomizing them. We investigated the impact that bilingualism and age have on two measures of executive control (Stroop and Flanker). The mouse-tracking paradigm allowed us to examine the continuous dynamics of the responses as participants completed each trial. First, we found that the Stroop effect was reduced with younger age and higher levels of bilingualism; however, no Bilingualism by Age interaction emerged. Second, after controlling for baseline, the Flanker effect was not influenced by bilingualism or age. These results support the notion that bilingualism is one way of enhancing some aspects of executive function – specifically those related to the Stroop task – across the adult life span. In sum, different levels of bilingualism, and different ages, result in varying degrees of executive function as measured by the Stroop task.

KEYWORDS:

• Bilingualism
• executive function
• mouse tracking
• continuous measures

Acknowledgments

This work represents portions of Sara Incera’s Doctoral Dissertation. We thank Andrew Slifkin, Philip Allen, and Phillip Hamrick for their feedback on this project as members of Sara’s dissertation committee. Conor T. M^cLennan served as chair. We also thank Samuel Benson and Lisa Stronsick for their assistance managing the data. The project was carried out with support from the Cleveland State University Dissertation Research Award Program.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplemental Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Notes

1. We thank Dr. Andrew B. Slifkin, a member of Sara Incera’s doctoral dissertation committee, for suggesting the inclusion of this baseline measure of mouse movements.

2. For a visualization of the Flanker results see Supplementary Materials.

Additional information

Funding

The project was carried out with support from the Cleveland State University Dissertation Research Award Program.