scholarly journals Clear theories are needed to interpret differences: Perspectives on the bilingual advantage debate

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-46
Author(s):  
Angela de Bruin ◽  
Anthony Steven Dick ◽  
Manuel Carreiras
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Cognitive Effects ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Bilingual Advantage ◽  
Heated Debate ◽  
Brain Changes ◽  
Language Control ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract The heated debate regarding bilingual cognitive advantages remains ongoing. While there are many studies supporting positive cognitive effects of bilingualism, recent meta-analyses have concluded that there is no consistent evidence for a ’bilingual advantage’. In this paper we focus on several theoretical concerns. First, we discuss changes in theoretical frameworks, which have led to the development of insufficiently clear theories and hypotheses that are difficult to falsify. Next, we discuss the development of looking at bilingual experiences and the need to better understand language control. Last, we argue that the move from behavioural studies to a focus on brain plasticity is not going to solve the debate on cognitive effects, especially not when brain changes are interpreted in the absence of behavioural differences. Clearer theories on both behavioural and neural effects of bilingualism are needed. However, to achieve this, a solid understanding of both bilingualism and executive functions is needed first.

The Advantages of Bilingualism Debate

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 395-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Antoniou
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bilingual Advantage ◽  
Conflicting Evidence ◽  
Dementia Incidence ◽  
Heated Debate ◽  
Multiple Languages ◽  
The Brain

Bilingualism was once thought to result in cognitive disadvantages, but research in recent decades has demonstrated that experience with two (or more) languages confers a bilingual advantage in executive functions and may delay the incidence of Alzheimer's disease. However, conflicting evidence has emerged leading to questions concerning the robustness of the bilingual advantage for both executive functions and dementia incidence. Some investigators have failed to find evidence of a bilingual advantage; others have suggested that bilingual advantages may be entirely spurious, while proponents of the advantage case have continued to defend it. A heated debate has ensued, and the field has now reached an impasse. This review critically examines evidence for and against the bilingual advantage in executive functions, cognitive aging, and brain plasticity, before outlining how future research could shed light on this debate and advance knowledge of how experience with multiple languages affects cognition and the brain.

scholarly journals Research on individual differences in executive functions

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi P. Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Response Inhibition ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Interference Control ◽  
Bilingual Advantage ◽  
Language Control ◽  
Multicomponent Nature

Abstract Executive functions (EFs), such as response inhibition, interference control, and set shifting, are general-purpose control mechanisms that enable individuals to regulate their thoughts and behaviors. Because bilingual individuals use EF-like processes during language control, researchers have become interested in the hypothesis that this use might train EFs, resulting in better performance on non-linguistic EF tasks. Although this bilingual advantage hypothesis seems straightforward to test, it involves a number of important decisions in terms of how to assess bilingualism and EFs. In this article, I focus on the complexity of measuring EFs, drawing on individual differences research (conducted with participants not selected for bilingualism). Specifically, I discuss issues related to (1) the measurement of EFs (particularly the effects of task impurity and unreliability) and (2) the multicomponent nature of EFs. Within each of these topics, I elaborate on consequences for research on bilingual advantages and provide some recommendations.

scholarly journals Do bilinguals outperform monolinguals in switching tasks? Contrary evidence for nonlinguistic and linguistic switching tasks

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-37
Author(s):  
E. Mas-Herrero ◽  
D. Adrover-Roig ◽  
M. Ruz ◽  
R. de Diego-Balaguer
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Task Switching ◽  
The Other ◽  
Bilingual Advantage ◽  
Switch Costs ◽  
Task Preparation ◽  
Language Control ◽  
The One ◽  
Switching Task ◽  
Contrary Evidence

Abstract The benefits of bilingualism in executive functions are highly debated. Even so, in switching tasks, these effects seem robust, although smaller than initially thought (Gunnerud et al., 2020; Ware et al., 2020). By handling two languages throughout their lifespan, bilinguals appear to train their executive functions and show benefits in nonlinguistic switching tasks compared to monolinguals. Nevertheless, because bilinguals need to control for the interference of another language, they may show a disadvantage when dealing with task-switching paradigms requiring language control, particularly when those are performed in their less dominant language. The present work explored this issue by studying bilingualism’s effects on task-switching within the visual and language domains. On the one hand, our results show that bilinguals were overall faster and presented reduced switch costs compared to monolinguals when performing perceptual geometric judgments with no time for task preparation. On the other hand, no bilingual advantage was found when a new sample of comparable bilinguals and monolinguals completed a within-language switching task. Our results provide clear evidence favoring the bilingual advantage, yet only when the task imposes greater executive demands and does not involve language control.

scholarly journals On the need of theoretically guided approaches to possible bilingual advantages: an evaluation of the potential loci in the language and executive control systems

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Esti Blanco-Elorrieta ◽  
Alfonso Caramazza
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Control Systems ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Bilingual Advantage ◽  
Potential Sources ◽  
Heated Debate ◽  
Language Control

Abstract Whether a cognitive advantage exists for bilingual individuals has been the source of heated debate in the last decade. While empirical evidence putatively in favor or against this alleged advantage has been frequently discussed, the potential sources of enhanced cognitive control in bilinguals have only been broadly declared, with no mechanistic elaboration of where, why and how this purported link between bilingualism and enhanced language control develops, and how this enhancement transfers to, and subsequently improves, general executive function. Here, we evaluate different potential sources for a bilingual advantage and develop the assumptions one would have to make about the language processing system to be consistent with each of these notions. Subsequently, we delineate the limitations in the generalizations from language to overall executive function, and characterize where these advantages could be identified if there were to be any. Ultimately, we conclude that in order to make significant progress in this area, it is necessary to look for advantages in theoretically motivated areas, and that in the absence of clear theories as to the source, transfer, and target processes that could lead to potential advantages, an inconsistent body of results will follow, making the whole pursuit of a bilingual advantage moot.

scholarly journals Hypnotherapy for Procedural Pain and Distress in Children: A scoping Review Protocol

Pain Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daly Geagea ◽  
Zephanie Tyack ◽  
Roy Kimble ◽  
Lars Eriksson ◽  
Vince Polito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Procedural Pain ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Objective Inadequately treated pain and distress elicited by medical procedures can put children at higher risks of acute and chronic biopsychosocial sequelae. Children can benefit from hypnotherapy, a psychological tailored intervention, as an adjunct to pharmacological agents to address the multiple components of pain and distress. Despite providing evidence on the effectiveness and potential superiority of hypnotherapy to other psychological interventions, research on hypnotherapy for paediatric procedural pain and distress has been predominantly limited to oncology and needle procedures. Plus, there is a lack of reporting of intervention manuals, factors influencing hypnotic responding, pain unpleasantness outcomes, theoretical frameworks, adverse events, as well as barriers and facilitators to the feasibility of delivering the intervention and study procedures. The proposed review aims to map the range and nature of the evidence on hypnotherapy for procedural pain and distress in children to identify gaps in literature and areas requiring further investigation. Methods This review will follow the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) methodology and incorporate additional scoping review recommendations by The Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. Relevant studies will be identified through searching published literature databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science) and grey literature in addition to hand-searching of reference lists and key journals. Two authors will independently screen titles and abstracts of search results followed by full-texts review against eligibility criteria. Conclusion Findings are anticipated to guide future research and inform the development of tailored hypnotic interventions in children.

Structural and Functional MRI Brain Changes in Patients with Schizophrenia Following Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuchao Jiang ◽  
Mingjun Duan ◽  
Hui He ◽  
Dezhong Yao ◽  
Cheng Luo
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Functional Mri ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Medical Subject Headings ◽  
Therapeutic Mechanisms ◽  
Brain Changes ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Induced Changes

Background: Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder typically characterized by multidimensional psychotic syndromes. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment option for medication-resistant patients with SZ or to resolve acute symptoms. Although the efficacy of ECT has been demonstrated in clinical use, its therapeutic mechanisms in the brain remain elusive. Objective: This study aimed to summarize brain changes on structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and functional MRI (fMRI) after ECT. Methods: According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review was carried out. The PubMed and Medline databases were systematically searched using the following medical subject headings (MeSH): (electroconvulsive therapy OR ECT) AND (schizophrenia) AND (MRI OR fMRI OR DTI OR DWI). Results: This review yielded 12 MRI studies, including 4 with sMRI, 5 with fMRI and 3 with multimodal MRI. Increases in volumes of the hippocampus and its adjacent regions (parahippocampal gyrus and amygdala) as well as insula and frontotemporal regions were noted after ECT. fMRI studies found ECT-induced changes in different brain regions/networks, including the hippocampus, amygdala, default model network, salience network and other regions/networks that are thought to highly correlate with the pathophysiologic characteristics of SZ. The results of the correlation between brain changes and symptom remissions are inconsistent Conclusion: Our review provides evidence supporting ECT-induced brain changes on sMRI and fMRI in SZ and explores the relationship between these changes and symptom remission.

Work Site–Based Environmental Interventions to Reduce Sedentary Behavior: A Systematic Review

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda K. Hutcheson ◽  
Andrew J. Piazza ◽  
Adam P. Knowlden
Keyword(s):  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Included Study ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Environmental Interventions ◽  
Work Site ◽  
Meta Analyses

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to systematically review work site–based, environmental interventions to reduce sedentary behavior following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Data Source: Data were extracted from Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science between January 2005 and December 2015. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria were work site interventions, published in peer-reviewed journals, employing environmental modalities, targeting sedentary behavior, and using any quantitative design. Exclusion criteria were noninterventions and non-English publications. Data Extraction: Data extracted included study design, population, intervention dosage, intervention activities, evaluation measures, and intervention effects. Data Synthesis: Data were tabulated quantitatively and synthesized qualitatively. Results: A total of 15 articles were identified for review and 14 reported statistically significant decreases in sedentary behavior. The majority of studies employed a randomized controlled trial design (n = 7), used inclinometers to measure sedentary behavior (n = 9), recruited predominantly female samples (n = 15), and utilized sit-to-stand desks as the primary intervention modality (n = 10). The mean methodological quality score was 6.2 out of 10. Conclusion: Environmental work site interventions to reduce sedentary behavior show promise because work sites often have more control over environmental factors. Limitations of this intervention stream include inconsistent measurement of sedentary behavior, absence of theoretical frameworks to guide program development, and absence of long-term evaluation. Future studies should include clear reporting of intervention strategies and explicit operationalization of theoretical constructs.

Leaving Work at Work: A Meta-Analysis on Employee Recovery From Work

2019 ◽  
pp. 014920631986415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurens Bujold Steed ◽  
Brian W. Swider ◽  
Sejin Keem ◽  
Joseph T. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Temporal Consistency ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Recovery Experiences ◽  
Recovery From Work ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Performance Results

After reviewing the various ways employee recovery from work has been conceptualized in existing literature as well as the predominant theoretical frameworks used to study recovery, we meta-analyze the relationships between employee recovery, demands, resources, well-being, and performance. We also quantitatively examine the conceptualizations of recovery as activities, experiences, or states in terms of both their intercorrelations and differing effects with demands, resources, well-being, and performance. Results of meta-analyses using a total of 198 empirical samples indicated general support for the hypothesized positive relationships between employee recovery and resources, well-being, and performance as well as a negative relationship with demands. However, the size and consistency of observed effects differed markedly based on the conceptualization utilized. Additionally, various conceptualizations of recovery were shown to be only modestly related, while recovery experiences and the state of being recovered were shown to have substantial temporal consistency. Implications of these findings for scholars studying recovery and practitioners are discussed.

scholarly journals The Effect of Bilingualism on Older Adults’ Inhibitory Control: A Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie A Armstrong ◽  
Natalie Ein ◽  
Brenda I Wong ◽  
Sara N Gallant ◽  
Lingqian Li
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Bilingual Advantage ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Design And Methods

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe effect bilingualism has on older adults’ inhibitory control has been extensively investigated, yet there is continued controversy regarding whether older adult bilinguals show superior inhibitory control compared with monolinguals. The objective of the current meta-analysis was to examine the reliability and magnitude of the bilingualism effect on older adults’ inhibitory control as measured by the Simon and Stroop tasks. In addition, we examined whether individual characteristics moderate the bilingual advantage in inhibition, including age (young–old vs old–old), age of second language acquisition, immigrant status, language proficiency, and frequency of language use.Research Design and MethodsA total of 22 samples for the Simon task and 14 samples for the Stroop task were derived from 28 published and unpublished articles (32 independent samples, with 4 of these samples using more than 1 task) and were analyzed in 2 separate meta-analyses.ResultsAnalyses revealed a reliable effect of bilingualism on older adults’ performance on the Simon (g = 0.60) and Stroop (g = 0.27) tasks. Interestingly, individual characteristics did not moderate the association between bilingualism and older adults’ inhibitory control.Discussion and ImplicationsThe results suggest there is a bilingual advantage in inhibitory control for older bilinguals compared with older monolinguals, regardless of the individual characteristics previously thought to moderate this effect. Based on these findings, bilingualism may protect inhibitory control from normal cognitive decline with age.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document