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The effect of language proficiency on executive functions in balanced and unbalanced Spanish–English bilinguals*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2015

MÓNICA ROSSELLI ,
ALFREDO ARDILA ,
LAXMI N. LALWANI  and
IDALY VÉLEZ-URIBE
MÓNICA ROSSELLI*
Affiliation:
Florida Atlantic University, Davie, FL, USA
ALFREDO ARDILA
Affiliation:
Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
LAXMI N. LALWANI
Affiliation:
Florida Atlantic University, Davie, FL, USA
IDALY VÉLEZ-URIBE
Affiliation:
Florida Atlantic University, Davie, FL, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Dr. Mónica Rosselli. Department of Psychology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University, 3200 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314, USA. mrossell@fau.edu
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Abstract

This study analyzed the association between levels of language proficiency and levels of bilingualism and performance on verbal and nonverbal executive functions (working memory, updating, shifting, and inhibition tasks) in young bilinguals. Forty balanced (high and low proficiency), 34 unbalanced bilinguals, and 40 English monolinguals, were selected. The Bilingual Verbal Ability Test was used as a measure of language proficiency; WAIS Block design test was used as a measure of non-verbal intelligence. High proficiency balanced bilinguals performed better than low proficiency balanced bilinguals; unbalanced bilinguals scored in between both balanced groups. High proficiency monolinguals scored higher than low proficiency monolinguals and similar to high proficiency bilinguals. Regression analyses demonstrated that nonverbal intelligence significantly predicted performances on verbal working memory and verbal and nonverbal inhibition tasks. It was concluded that nonverbal intelligence scores are better predictors of executive function performance than bilingualism or language proficiency.

Keywords

Bilingualismproficiencybalanceexecutive functionsworking memorySpanish
Type
Research Article
Information
Bilingualism: Language and Cognition , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , May 2016 , pp. 489 - 503
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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Footnotes

*

Our most sincere gratitude to AmberRose Reale for her editorial support.

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