Let's not forget about language proficiency and cultural variations while linking bilingualism to executive control

Abstract

Valian (2014) argues that current approaches in the study of bilingualism's beneficial effects on executive functions and cognition are at best methodologically weak. There is no unanimity on what constitutes executive function and which tasks measure it. I agree with her view that executive function is not a single phenomenon but a collection of processes. Different tasks measure different aspects of them. Performance on different executive function tasks is related to the particular cognitive demands of the tasks as well as the participants’ profile. It does not follow necessarily that negotiating two languages should lead to an enhancement of ability on that task. Therefore, no single task can capture the cognitive benefits of bilingualism. Valian proposes that factors such as education, socio-economic status, and even extracurricular skills involving sports and exercise could boost executive functioning independent of bilingualism.

Bilingualism and cognition: A focus on mechanisms

“…I echo Costa et al's suggestion that the field will benefit by having more input from cognitive psychologists who work on executive function. I do so while also agreeing with Mishra (2014) that cognitive psychology does not currently offer us everything we need. An explicit discussion of different conceptions of executive function and its components, and the implications of different conceptions for work in bilingualism, is, to my mind, overdue.…”

“…An explicit discussion of different conceptions of executive function and its components, and the implications of different conceptions for work in bilingualism, is, to my mind, overdue. In the meantime, I suggest that we stop using the term ‘executive function’ (even though I do so throughout this reply, where possible in the plural) and instead be more precise about which aspect(s) of executive function we think we are measuring, a suggestion in line with Mishra's (2014) viewpoint.…”

“…Luk (2014) refers to a multi-dimensional spectrum that involves, at a minimum, how speakers’ languages were acquired, how extensively they are used at present, their proficiency in each language, the social contexts in which they use each language, and so on 1 . Titone et al, (2014) and Mishra (2014) mention that effects of bilingualism may also vary depending on geography. Mishra suggests including comparisons between proficient and less proficient bilinguals, or frequent vs less frequent language switchers, in contexts, such as India, where monolinguals do not exist.…”

“…In comparing bilingualism with other benefits to executive functions, Mishra (2014) considers the differences in what aspects of cognition are involved. Language, she suggests, is intentional and creative in a way that exercise and video game playing are not; language (at least one's first language) is acquired extremely early.…”

“…They thus suggest examining how bilinguals’ language processing is related both to bilingual experiences and to executive function. Mishra (2014) also presents work showing that response modality matters and recommends paying more attention to processing and the contexts in which processes takes place. I agree.…”