Exploring the difference in the brains executive control between monolingual and bilingual adolescents
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Hrvacic, Nerina
Issue Date
2014
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
Items in Esource are protected by copyright. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/copyright holder.
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the link between executive control and the number of languages an individual speaks. The study utilised a between subjects, correlational quasi experimental design. The independent variable is number of languages spoken and the dependent variable is the participants score on the Stroop task. A total of (n = 30) participants took part in the study with the age ranging between 13 to 19 years. Demographic details were also reviewed in relation to gender, age, and the number of languages the participant spoke daily. The executive control was measured on using a Victoria Stroop Task. Results indicated a positive significant relationship between scores on the congruent and incongruent sub-trials of the Stroop task and the number of Languages a Person Spoke. (P = .017), (P=.036). There was a significant difference between the bilingual and monolingual group on the number of incongruent errors obtained by the participants (P=.027). There was a significant main effect of the Stroop task obtained (P=.003).