Interference suppression in bilingualism: Stimulus-Stimulus vs. Stimulus-Response conflict

Author(s):  
Lihua Xia ◽  
Thomas H. Bak ◽  
Antonella Sorace ◽  
Mariana Vega-Mendoza

Abstract Studies examining the potential effects of bilingualism on interference suppression show inconsistent results. Our study approaches this topic by distinguishing two potential subcomponents within interference suppression (i.e., Stimulus-Stimulus and Stimulus-Response conflict). We investigated the two subcomponents through their operationalisation in different tasks and examined the role of language proficiency in modulating it. A sample of 111 young adult participants performed four non-linguistic cognitive tasks measuring both visual and auditory domains of cognitive control. Bilinguals outperformed monolinguals in tasks involving Stimulus-Stimulus conflict, but showed comparable performance in tasks involving Stimulus-Response conflict. Specific effects of language proficiency on cognitive control were observed: group differences in auditory inhibition and visual orienting were only observed between high-proficient bilinguals and monolinguals. Taken together, types of conflicts involved in interference tasks and language proficiency could differentially affect performance in monolinguals and bilinguals.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Narges Radman ◽  
Lea Jost ◽  
Setareh Dorood ◽  
Christian Mancini ◽  
Jean-Marie Annoni

AbstractLinguistic processes in the bilingual brain are partially shared across languages, and the degree of neural overlap between the languages is influenced by several factors, including the age of acquisition, relative language proficiency, and immersion. There is limited evidence on the role of linguistic distance on the performance of the language control as well as domain-general cognitive control systems. The present study aims at exploring whether being bilingual in close and distant language pairs (CLP and DLP) influences language control and domain-general cognitive processes. We recruited two groups of DLP (Persian–English) and CLP (French–English) bilinguals. Subjects performed language nonswitching and switching picture-naming tasks and a nonlinguistic switching task while EEG data were recorded. Behaviorally, CLP bilinguals showed a lower cognitive cost than DLP bilinguals, reflected in faster reaction times both in language switching (compared to nonswitching) and nonlinguistic switching. ERPs showed differential involvement of cognitive control regions between the CLP and DLP groups during linguistic switching vs. nonswitching at 450 to 515 ms poststimulus presentation. Moreover, there was a difference between CLP and DLP groups from 40 to 150 ms in the nonlinguistic task. Our electrophysiological results confirm a stronger involvement of language control and domain-general cognitive control regions in CLP bilinguals.


2013 ◽  
Vol 221 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Jost ◽  
Wouter De Baene ◽  
Iring Koch ◽  
Marcel Brass

The role of cue processing has become a controversial topic in research on cognitive control using task-switching procedures. Some authors suggested a priming account to explain switch costs as a form of encoding benefit when the cue from the previous trial is repeated and hence challenged theories that attribute task-switch costs to task-set (re)configuration. A rich body of empirical evidence has evolved that indeed shows that cue-encoding repetition priming is an important component in task switching. However, these studies also demonstrate that there are usually substantial “true” task-switch costs. Here, we review this behavioral, electrophysiological, and brain imaging evidence. Moreover, we describe alternative approaches to the explicit task-cuing procedure, such as the usage of transition cues or the task-span procedure. In addition, we address issues related to the type of cue, such as cue transparency. We also discuss methodological and theoretical implications and argue that the explicit task-cuing procedure is suitable to address issues of cognitive control and task-set switching.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rageshawari Munderia ◽  
Rajbala Singh

Social skills play an instrumental role in individuals’ life. It helps individuals to communicate and maintain social relationships. Presently, the smartphone has completely changed the mode of social communication, and social skills may play a crucial role in this regard. Thus, the aim of the present study is to investigate the association between social skills and perceived smartphone usage (both positive and negative usage). The perceived negative usage of the smartphone has been assessed in terms of smartphone addiction. Sample of the present study comprised of (n=509) adult participants. Pearson’s product moment correlation (r) and multiple regression method was employed to assess the relationship between the proposed variables. Findings of the study demonstrated that social skills are significantly related with both perceived positive usage of smartphone and smartphone addiction. Social expressivity and emotional control emerged as significant predictors for both positive usage of smartphone and smartphone addiction. The findings of the study may have important implications for bringing awareness among the individuals regarding the role of social skills for effective usage of smartphone as well as for future researches in this direction. Keywords: social skill, perceived positive smartphone usage, smartphone addiction, emotion expressivity, emotional control


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arati Prabhu ◽  
Prachi Wani

The study is undertaken to understand the importance of English language skills in the Indian hospitality industry, and the gaps therein. It studies the challenge as it exists in Pune city, and how AISSMS College of Hotel Management & Catering Technology has attempted to address the issue(s). The study aims at gathering primary information by means of questionnaires. It sheds light on the gap between existing and desired standards of English proficiency. It also highlights the attempts by the three important stakeholders in order to address the issue. Though, attempts are made from the industry, teachers and students, it is recognized that joint efforts need to be made to tackle the problem collectively and from all sides. It is an urgent calling for innovative teaching learning practices and encouraging sound develop initiatives and commitment. The primary data is across the cross section of Pune hoteliers, teachers and students of the college. The findings reflect the importance of English as the universal medium of communication, and its importance in rendering quality service and importantly.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002248712110000
Author(s):  
Lucrecia Santibañez ◽  
Christine Snyder ◽  
Danielle Centeno

English Learner-classified (ELC) students are one of the nation’s most marginalized student populations. One promising but understudied strategy to strengthen teaching of ELC students is teacher induction. This article examines the role of teacher induction in strengthening novice teachers’ EL-specific teaching knowledge and skills. Through a detailed analysis of induction in California, we find that the state has little external assurance that teachers who have undergone induction can meet ELC students’ unique and diverse needs. California’s decentralized, flexible, teacher-led induction may support teachers’ development of general teaching skills, but misses an opportunity to support teachers in an area where many of them struggle. The study raises other problematic issues around mentoring for equity such as monolithic views of ELC students, lack of timely and actionable information about language proficiency, and lack of guidance as to what constitutes acceptable evidence of competency teaching ELC students.


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