The Bilingual Advantage in Executive Functioning Hypothesis: How the debate provides insight into psychology's replication crisis

The Bilingual Advantage in Executive Functioning Hypothesis examines the debate on whether using two languages enhances domain-general executive functioning (EF) and argues that the empirical evidence does not support a bilingual advantage that is distinguishable from zero. It provides a critical review of seminal studies and meta-analyses and considers several explanations for why managing two languages may not enhance aspects of domain-general cognition.

Format: Hardback
Length: 14 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Bilingual Advantage in Executive Functioning Hypothesis is a groundbreaking work that delves into one of the most captivating debates in bilingualism and cognitive psychology. It examines the hypothesis that using two languages enhances domain-general executive functioning (EF) and argues that either the bilingual advantage does not exist or is limited to specific circumstances. The conclusion extends to situations where EF is referred to as self-control, self-regulation, self-discipline, attention-control, impulse control, inhibitory control, cognitive control, and willpower.

The book explores the evolving core assumptions underlying the bilingual advantage hypothesis, placing the debate within the broader context of a replication crisis. It provides a critical review of seminal studies and meta-analyses, arguing that the empirical evidence does not support a bilingual advantage on EF that is distinguishable from zero. Part I establishes the foundation for the debate, providing the background necessary to understand the state-of-the-art research on EF and bilingual language control. The next part offers a detailed review of the empirical evidence that triggers each iteration of the hypothesis. This includes new data that compares tests of the bilingual advantage hypothesis based on self-reports of cognitive control to performance-based measures of EF. A third theoretical part considers several explanations for why managing two languages may not enhance aspects of domain-general cognition.

This is an essential reading for students and scholars in bilingualism, psychology, linguistics, languages, speech and hearing science, and related fields. It also serves as an excellent primary source for graduate courses on the bilingual advantage debate.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032311005