Testing the Bilingual Cognitive Advantage in Toddlers Using the Early Executive Functions Questionnaire

Datos Bibliográficos

ID5901034
AutoresKayla Beaudin (0000-0002-4368-7581, Concordia University, autor de correspondencia), Diane Poulin‐duboi (0000-0001-8966-875X, Concordia University), Diane Poulin-Dubois
Año2022
Volumen7
Número2
Páginas122
Fecha de publicación2022-05-16
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaLanguages (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2226-471X • E-ISSN: 2226-471X
EditorialMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/languages7020122
OpenAlexW4280652493
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas75

The present study aims to assess differences in executive functioning between monolingual and multilingual 23-month-old toddlers, both when dichotomizing multilingualism and assessing it on a continuum. It is hypothesized that multilinguals, individuals with greater non-dominant language exposure, and individuals with more translation equivalents, would perform better in the following domains: response inhibition, attentional flexibility, and regulation. No differences are expected for working memory. The Early Executive Functions Questionnaire, a newly developed parental report, is used to measure the four executive functions of interest. Multilinguals and individuals with greater non-dominant language exposure have significantly higher response inhibition; however, no differences are noted for any other executive function. Additionally, no associations between translation equivalents and executive functioning are found. Post-hoc analyses reveal that non-dominant language production had a positive correlation with working memory. The present findings support the notion of a domain-specific cognitive advantage for multilingual toddlers

Cognition · Cognitive flexibility · Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Executive dysfunction · Executive functions · Flexibility (engineering · Multilingualism · Neuropsychology · Working memory · Language Development and Disorders · Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism · Neuroscience · Psychology · Reading and Literacy Development