Interference suppression vs. response inhibition: An explanation for the absence of a bilingual advantage in preschoolers’ Stroop task performance

Previous research has shown that bilingual children excel in tasks requiring inhibitory control to ignore a misleading perceptual cue. The present series of studies extends this finding by identifying the degree and type of inhibitory control for which bilingual children demonstrate this advantage. Study 1 replicated the earlier research by showing that bilingual children perform the Simon task more rapidly than monolinguals, but only on conditions in which the demands for inhibitory control were high. The next two studies compared performance on tasks that required inhibition of attention to a specific cue, like the Simon task, and inhibition of a habitual response, like the day–night Stroop task. In both studies, bilingual children maintained their advantage on tasks that require control of attention but showed no advantage on tasks that required inhibition of response. These results confine the bilingual advantage found previously to complex tasks requiring control over attention to competing cues (interference suppression) and not to tasks requiring control over competing responses (response inhibition).

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Working memory demand of a task modulates bilingual advantage in executive functions

International Journal of Bilingualism ◽

10.1177/1367006917709097 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 102-117 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Lu Jiao ◽

Cong Liu ◽

Ruiming Wang ◽

Baoguo Chen

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Response Inhibition ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Flanker Task ◽

Interference Suppression ◽

Memory Processing ◽

Bilingual Advantage ◽

Processing Demand ◽

Memory Experiment ◽

Storage Demand

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of task demand in working memory on bilingual cognitive advantage (interference suppression and response inhibition) in young bilinguals. Methodology: Experiment 1 was performed with the flanker, Go/No-go, and modified flanker tasks, in which the first two tasks were involved in lower storage demand of working memory and the last task was involved in higher storage demand of working memory. Experiment 2 was performed with the Conditional-Go/No-go task, with a higher processing demand of working memory. Data and analysis: Reaction time and accuracy data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance. Findings/Conclusions: In Experiment 1, results showed that compared to monolinguals, the bilingual advantage in interference suppression occurred in the task with high storage demand (i.e., modified flanker task) and not in the low demand task (i.e., flanker task); however, this advantage effect was not observed in response inhibition. In Experiment 2, with the increasing working memory processing demand of tasks, the bilingual advantage in response inhibition was observed. Originality: The current study firstly examined the effect of task working memory demand on the bilingual advantage and provided some restrictive conditions for the advantage. Significance/Implications: Our results provide new evidence to support the effect of bilingual cognitive advantage.

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Effects of third-language learning on inhibitory control with consideration of task complexity and language proficiency

International Journal of Bilingualism ◽

10.1177/13670069211054599 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136700692110545

Author(s):

Dongmei Ma ◽

Xinyue Wang ◽

Xuefei Gao

Keyword(s):

Adult Learners ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Language Proficiency ◽

Response Inhibition ◽

Task Complexity ◽

Interference Suppression ◽

Complex Task ◽

Third Language ◽

Bilingual Advantage ◽

Control Response

Aims and Objectives: The present study explores the question of whether learning a third language (L3) in an English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom setting induces improved inhibitory control compared with that found in bilinguals, considering task complexity and language proficiency. Methodology: Thirty-six Chinese–English second language (L2) young adult learners and 121 Chinese–English–Japanese/French/Russian/German L3 young adult learners with three levels of L3 proficiency participated in the study. Simon arrow tasks were employed to measure two types of inhibitory control: response inhibition (the less complex task with univalent stimuli) and interference suppression (the more complex task with bivalent stimuli). Data and Analysis: Statistics using ANOVAs and multiple comparisons were employed to analyze the effects of L3 learning on the reaction time and accuracy for response inhibition and interference suppression, respectively. Findings: The results demonstrated that L3 learners did not outperform L2 learners in the two types of inhibitory control: response inhibition (less complex) and interference suppression (more complex). Moreover, L3 learners with a higher proficiency did not display better inhibitory control than those with a lower proficiency in response inhibition and interference suppression. However, as the L3 proficiency increased, some specific aspects of inhibitory control did improve and exhibited a nonlinear pattern. Originality: The present study extends bilingual advantage in inhibitory control to formal L3 learning, exploring whether bilingual advantage in inhibitory control also appears in L3 learners, considering task complexity and language proficiency. Significance/implications: The present study contributes to the theory of the relationship between multilingualism and inhibitory control by showing that this relationship may be more complex than it is understood currently. Learning an additional language to L2, particularly short-term learning, may not lead to an incremental advantage in overall inhibitory control. However, as learning time increases, changes may appear in specific aspects of inhibitory control, and may be a nonlinear one.

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The Effect of Cognates on Cognitive Control in Late Sequential Multilinguals: A Bilingual Advantage?

Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.3390/bs9030025 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 25 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jorik Fidler ◽

Katja Lochtman

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Control ◽

Language Processing ◽

Stroop Task ◽

Response Inhibition ◽

Orthographic Neighbor ◽

Facilitation Effect ◽

Bilingual Advantage ◽

French Speaking ◽

Orthographic Neighbors ◽

Stroop Tasks

The present study investigated the influence of Dutch-German cognates resp. orthographic neighbors on controlled language processing (i.e., response inhibition). Two monolingual Stroop tasks (Dutch and German) were performed by Dutch-speaking participants who could and could not speak German, and by French-speaking participants who could speak German. The question is whether or not cognate language processing affects cognitive control, resulting in a possible bilingual advantage. In the German Stroop task, we found additional advantages in congruent, as well as incongruent, trials for the two Dutch-speaking groups, which postulates the existence of a cognate resp. orthographic neighbor facilitation effect, even when participants only know one of the two cognate languages. The findings are discussed in relation to two possible factors that can modulate the effect of bilingualism on cognitive control: cognateness and orthographic neighborhood. The results suggest the existence of a notification mechanism in the bilingual brain. This mechanism would notify the bilingual brain when dealing with cognates and orthographic neighbors.

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A combined forced-attention dichotic listening – Go/Nogo task to assess response inhibition and interference suppression: An auditory event-related potential investigation.

Neuropsychology ◽

10.1037/neu0000586 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 33 (8) ◽

pp. 1136-1150

Author(s):

Nathalie Bedoin ◽

Raphaëlle Abadie ◽

Jennifer Krzonowski ◽

Emmanuel Ferragne ◽

Agathe Marcastel

Keyword(s):

Response Inhibition ◽

Dichotic Listening ◽

Interference Suppression ◽

Event Related Potential ◽

Auditory Event

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Inhibitory Dimensions and Delay of Gratification: A Comparative Study on Individuals with Down Syndrome and Typically Developing Children

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11050636 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 636

Author(s):

Martina Fontana ◽

Maria Carmen Usai ◽

Sandra Pellizzoni ◽

Maria Chiara Passolunghi

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Response Inhibition ◽

Interference Suppression ◽

Delay Of Gratification ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Typically Developing Children ◽

Mental Age ◽

Two Samples

While previous research on inhibition in people with Down syndrome (DS) reported contradictory results, with no explicit theoretical model, on the other hand, a more homogeneous impaired profile on the delay of gratification skills emerged. The main goal of the present study was to investigate response inhibition, interference suppression, and delay of gratification in 51 individuals with DS matched for a measure of mental age (MA) with 71 typically developing (TD) children. Moreover, we cross-sectionally explored the strengths and weaknesses of these components in children and adolescents vs. adults with DS with the same MA. A battery of laboratory tasks tapping on inhibitory sub-components and delay of gratification was administrated. Results indicated that individuals with DS showed an overall worse performance compared to TD children on response inhibition and delay of gratification, while no differences emerged between the two samples on the interference suppression. Additionally, our results suggested that older individuals with DS outperformed the younger ones both in response inhibition and in the delay of gratification, whereas the interference suppression still remains impaired in adulthood. This study highlights the importance of evaluating inhibitory sub-components considering both MA and chronological age in order to promote more effective and evidence-based training for this population.

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The effect of high-frequency rTMS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the resolution of response, semantic and task conflict in the colour-word Stroop task

Brain Structure and Function ◽

10.1007/s00429-021-02237-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Benjamin A. Parris ◽

Michael G. Wadsley ◽

Gizem Arabaci ◽

Nabil Hasshim ◽

Maria Augustinova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Task Performance ◽

Stroop Task ◽

Word Reading ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Task Conflict ◽

General Effect ◽

Task Set ◽

Left Dlpfc ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal

AbstractPrevious work investigating the effect of rTMS of left Dorso-Lateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) on Stroop task performance reports no changes to the Stroop effect but reduced reaction times on both congruent and incongruent trials relative to sham stimulation; an effect attributed to an enhanced attentional (or task) set for colour classification. The present study tested this account by investigating whether, relative to vertex stimulation, rTMS of the left DLPFC modifies task conflict, a form of conflict that arises when task sets for colour classification and word reading compete, given that this particular type of conflict would be reduced by an enhanced task set for colour classification. Furthermore, the present study included measures of other forms of conflict present in the Stroop task (response and semantic conflict), the potential effects on which would have been hidden in previous studies employing only incongruent and congruent stimuli. Our data showed that left DLPFC stimulation had no effect on the magnitude of task conflict, nor did it affect response, semantic or overall conflict (where the null is supported by sensitive Bayes Factors in most cases). However, consistent with previous research left DLPFC stimulation had the general effect of reducing reaction times. We, therefore, show for the first time that relative to real vertex stimulation left DLPFC stimulation does not modify Stroop interference. Alternative accounts of the role of the left DLPFC in Stroop task performance in which it either modifies response thresholds or facilitates responding by keeping the correct response keys active in working memory are discussed.

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A preliminary investigation on the relationship between color-word Stroop task performance and delusion-proneness in nonpsychiatric adults

Psychiatry Research ◽

10.1016/j.psychres.2008.09.001 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 175 (1-2) ◽

pp. 27-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Diana M. Orem ◽

Jeffrey S. Bedwell

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Stroop Task ◽

Color Word ◽

Preliminary Investigation ◽

The Relationship

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Visuomotor Activation of Inhibition-Processing in Pediatric Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Magnetoencephalography Study

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.632736 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Eman Nishat ◽

Colleen Dockstader ◽

Anne L. Wheeler ◽

Thomas Tan ◽

John A. E. Anderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

Response Inhibition ◽

Regional Differences ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Medication Effects ◽

Imaging Research ◽

Inhibition Performance

Background: Response inhibition engages the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit, which has been implicated in children, and youth with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This study explored whether CSTC engagement during response inhibition, measured using magnetoencephalography (MEG), differed in a sample of medication-naïve youth with OCD, compared to typically developing controls (TDC).Methods: Data was analyzed in 17 medication-naïve children and youth with OCD (11.7 ± 2.2 SD years) and 13 TDC (12.6 ± 2.2 SD years). MEG was used to localize and characterize neural activity during a Go/No-Go task. Task performance on Go/No-Go conditions and regional differences in amplitude of activity during Go and No-Go condition between OCD vs. TDC were examined using two-sample t-tests. Post-hoc analysis with Bayesian t-tests was used to estimate the certainty of outcomes.Results: No differences in Go/No-Go performance were found between OCD and TDC groups. In response to the visual cue presented during the Go condition, participants with OCD showed significantly increased amplitude of activity in the primary motor (MI) cortex compared to TDC. In addition, significantly reduced amplitude of PCu was found following successful stopping to No-Go cues in OCD vs. TDC during No-Go task performance. Bayesian t-tests indicated high probability and large effect sizes for the differences in MI and PCu amplitude found between groups.Conclusion: Our preliminary study in a small medication-naïve sample extends previous work indicating intact response inhibition in pediatric OCD. While altered neural response in the current study was found during response inhibition performance in OCD, differences localized to regions outside of the CSTC. Our findings suggest that additional imaging research in medication-naïve samples is needed to clarify regional differences associated with OCD vs. influenced by medication effects, and suggest that MEG may be sensitive to detecting such differences.

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Is the Letter Cancellation Task a Suitable Index of Ego Depletion?

Social Psychology ◽

10.1027/1864-9335/a000393 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (5-6) ◽

pp. 345-354 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marina C. Wimmer ◽

Lenard Dome ◽

Peter J. B. Hancock ◽

Thomas Wennekers

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Stroop Task ◽

Ego Depletion ◽

Cancellation Task ◽

Suitable Index ◽

Rule Complexity

Abstract. The aim was to quantify ego depletion and measure its effect on inhibitory control. Adults ( N = 523) received the letter “e” cancellation ego depletion task and were subsequently tested on Stroop task performance. Difficulty of the cancellation task was systematically manipulated by modifying the text from semantically meaningful to non-meaningful sentences and words (Experiment 1) and by increasing ego depletion rule complexity (Experiment 2). Participants’ performance was affected by both text and rule manipulations. There was no relation between ego depletion task performance and subsequent Stroop performance. Thus, irrespective of the difficulty of the ego depletion task, Stroop performance was unaffected. The widely used cancellation task may not be a suitable inducer of ego depletion if ego depletion is considered as a lack of inhibitory control.

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