Multilingual Stroop performance: Effects of trilingualism and proficiency on inhibitory control

Viorica Marian ^[1] ; Henrike K. Blumenfeld ^[2] ; Elena Mizrahi ^[3] ; Ursula Kania ^[4] ; Anne-Kristin Cordes ^[5]
1. [1] Northwestern University
  
  Northwestern University
  
  Township of Evanston, Estados Unidos
2. [2] San Diego State University
  
  San Diego State University
  
  Estados Unidos
3. [3] University of Haifa
  
  University of Haifa
  
  Israel
4. [4] University of Leipzig
  
  University of Leipzig
  
  Kreisfreie Stadt Leipzig, Alemania
5. [5] Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
  
  Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
  
  Kreisfreie Stadt München, Alemania
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Localización: International journal of multilingualism, ISSN 1479-0718, Vol. 10, Nº. 1, 2013, págs. 82-104
Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
- Previous research suggests that multilinguals' languages are constantly co-activated and that experience managing this co-activation changes inhibitory control function. The present study examined language interaction and inhibitory control using a colour-word Stroop task. Multilingual participants were tested in their three most proficient languages. The classic Stroop effect was detected in all three languages, with participants performing more accurately on congruent than on incongruent trials. Multilinguals were faster and more accurate in the within-language-competition condition than in the between-language-competition condition, indicating that additional processing costs are required when stimulus and response languages differ. Language proficiency influenced speed, accuracy and error patterns in multilingual Stroop task performance. These findings augment our understanding of language processing and inhibitory control in multilingual populations and suggest that experience using multiple languages changes demands on cognitive function.