WK1 L2 Readings

• Who are the authors of the feature review on bilingualism?

  Bialystok et al.
• What is the main focus of the review on bilingualism?


  To examine the effects of bilingualism on cognition in adulthood and explore possible mechanisms for these effects
• What concept is associated with bilingualism protecting against cognitive decline?

  Cognitive reserve
• What is the reported effect of bilingualism on the onset of dementia symptoms?


  Bilingualism is associated with a delay in the onset of symptoms of dementia
• Why is cognitive reserve an important research area?


  It is crucial in the context of an aging population
• What percentage of the U.S. and Canadian populations speak a language at home other than English?


  Approximately 20%
• What is the prevalence of bilingualism in urban areas like Los Angeles and Toronto?


  About 60% in Los Angeles and 50% in Toronto
• What percentage of the population in the European Union is reported to be functionally bilingual?


  56%
• How does bilingualism affect cognitive abilities compared to monolingualism?


  Development, efficiency, and decline of cognitive abilities are different for bilinguals than for monolinguals
• What is functional neuroplasticity?


  The study of how experience modifies brain structure and function
• What experiences have been found to modify brain structure and function?


  Juggling, video-game playing, careers in architecture, taxi-driving, and musical training
• How is bilingualism different from other experiences that modify brain structure?


  Bilinguals are not typically pre-selected for talent or interest
• What was the initial belief about childhood bilingualism?


  It was believed to have negative consequences, causing confusion
• What did the study by Peal and Lambert reveal about bilingual children?


  Bilingual children performed better on most tests, especially in symbol manipulation
• What advantage do bilingual children have in solving linguistic problems?


  They have better metalinguistic awareness
• What is a common neuropsychological measure of brain functioning?


  Verbal fluency tasks
• How do bilinguals perform on verbal fluency tasks compared to monolinguals?


  Bilinguals show systematic deficits, particularly in semantic fluency conditions
• What cognitive skills do bilinguals demonstrate better than monolinguals?


  Bilinguals demonstrate better executive control
• What functions does executive control support?


  Inhibition, switching attention, and working memory
• Who is the author of the article "The Advantages of Bilingualism"?

  Mark Antoniou
• What is the relationship between executive control and academic achievement in children?


  Executive control is central to academic achievement
• What is the main focus of the article "The Advantages of Bilingualism"?


  The cognitive advantages of bilingualism
• What did the meta-analysis by Adesope et al. find regarding bilingual children?


  Medium to large effect sizes for executive control advantages
• What has recent research demonstrated about bilingualism?


  It confers advantages in executive functions and may delay Alzheimer's disease
• How does bilingualism affect cognitive performance throughout the lifespan?


  Bilingualism sustains better cognitive performance throughout the lifespan
• What conflicting evidence has emerged regarding bilingualism?


  Some studies fail to find a bilingual advantage, questioning its robustness
• What is the joint activation of languages in bilinguals?


  It refers to the simultaneous activation of both languages in the bilingual mind
• What is the significance of the debate surrounding bilingualism?


  It has led to questions about the robustness of the bilingual advantage
• What evidence supports the idea of joint activation in bilinguals?


  Studies using cross-language priming and lexical decision tasks
• What are some keywords associated with the article?

  bilingual, advantage, debate, executive functions, dementia, plasticity
• What is the significance of the N400 event-related potential in bilingual language processing?


  It signals the effort associated with integrating the meaning of words
• What are the advantages of bilingualism mentioned in the article?


  • Ability to communicate with more people
  • Expanded social circles
  • Increased employment opportunities
  • Appreciation of other cultures
  • Access to services and travel opportunities
  • Careers involving multiple languages
• How does joint activation create an attention problem for bilinguals?


  Bilinguals must select the correct language from competing options
• How was bilingual acquisition viewed in the twentieth century?


  As resulting in cognitive disadvantages
• What are the two influential models proposed for language selection in bilinguals?

  The Inhibitory Control model and the Bilingual Interactive Activation Model (BIA+)
• What did studies from the 1920s to 1950s conclude about bilingual individuals?


  They scored poorly on verbal tests measuring cognitive abilities
• What are the cognitive differences between bilinguals and monolinguals?


  • Bilinguals generally have weaker verbal skills in each language
  • Bilinguals control a smaller vocabulary in the community language
  • Bilinguals are slower and less accurate in picture-naming tasks
  • Bilinguals demonstrate better executive control
• What methodological issues did earlier studies on bilingualism fail to address?


  Age, socioeconomic status, degree of bilingualism, and refugee status
• What are the implications of bilingualism for cognitive development and aging?


  • Bilingualism contributes to cognitive reserve
  • Bilingualism delays the onset of dementia symptoms
  • Bilingualism enhances executive control, which supports academic achievement
  • Bilingualism sustains cognitive performance throughout the lifespan
• What did Peal & Lambert (1962) demonstrate about bilingualism?


  It yields cognitive advantages when methodological issues are addressed