Bilingualism, Aging, and Cognitive Control: Evidence From the Simon Task.
Abstract
Previous work has shown that bilingualism is associated with more effective controlled processing in children; the assumption is that the constant management of 2 competing languages enhances executive functions (E. Bialystok, 2001). The present research attempted to determine whether this bilingual advantage persists for adults and whether bilingualism attenuates the negative effects of aging on cognitive control in older adults. Three studies are reported that compared the performance of monolingual and bilingual middle-aged and older adults on the Simon task. Bilingualism was associated with smaller Simon effect costs for both age groups; bilingual participants also responded more rapidly to conditions that placed greater demands on working memory. In all cases the bilingual advantage was greater for older participants. It appears, therefore, that controlled processing is carried out more effectively by bilinguals and that bilingualism helps to offset age-related losses in certain executive processes.
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The bilingual advantage persists into later life and guards against cognitive decline.
“This advantage has been shown to extend into older age and protect against cognitive decline [25, 44, 45]”
From Bilingualism: consequences for mind and brain (2012) · cites this paper as [44]
In the Simon task, the bilingual advantage appeared for congruent as well as incongruent stimuli.
“whereas a bilingual advantage was expected for incongruent stimuli, it was also found for congruent stimuli.”
From Bilingualism: consequences for mind and brain (2012) · cites this paper as [44]
In a Simon task with middle-aged and older adults, bilinguals showed smaller Simon effects than monolinguals across all ages.
“Bilinguals produced smaller Simon effects than monolinguals at all ages.”
From Bilingualism: consequences for mind and brain (2012) · cites this paper as [44]
Older adults' decline in attentional control was smaller in bilingual groups, hinting that bilingualism may shield against cognitive aging.
“the decrease in attentional control in older adults was reduced in the bilingual groups, suggesting that bilingualism may be protective against the effects of cognitive aging.”
From Bilingualism: consequences for mind and brain (2012) · cites this paper as [44]
Extended practice diminished both the Simon effect and the magnitude of the bilingual advantage.
“prolonged practice reduced both the Simon effect and the size of the bilingual advantage.”
From Bilingualism: consequences for mind and brain (2012) · cites this paper as [44]
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- Authors
- Bialystok, E., Craik, F. I. M., Klein, R., & Viswanathan, M.
- Affiliations
- York University (CA)
- Rotman Research Institute (CA)
- Dalhousie University (CA)
- Venue
- Psychology and Aging
- Published
- 2004
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 290-303
- ISSN
- 0882-7974 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1498
- OpenAlex
- W2159192118
- Cited by
- 1,618
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 44 · 2025: 67 · 2024: 51 · 2023: 84 · 2022: 100 · 2021: 86 · 2020: 113 · 2019: 114 · 2018: 96 · 2017: 94 · 2016: 113 · 2015: 108 · 2014: 108 · 2013: 66 · 2012: 93
- FWCI
- 11.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychology and Aging (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Language Development and Disorders
- Keywords
- bilingualism, aging, cognitive control, Simon task, Simon effect, executive function, older adults, working memory, bilingual advantage, controlled processing, age-related cognitive decline
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Child, Cognition Disorders, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Surveys and Questionnaires, Reaction Time, Multilingualism
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