Bilingualism and cognition
Intelligence
Metalinguistic awarness
Communicative sensitivity
The Period of Neutral Effects
Findings
Brain
Cognitive theory
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Divergent and Creative Thinking
How does bilingualism affect cognitive development?
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Cummins (1975, 1977) found that balanced bilinguals were superior to ‘matched’ non-balanced bilinguals on the fluency and flexibility scales of verbal divergence, and marginally on originality. Evidence suggests that balanced bilinguals have superior divergent thinking skills compared with unbalanced bilinguals and monolinguals.
Bilingualism and Divergent and Creative Thinking
A child regarded as a diverger is more creative, imaginative, elastic, open ended and free in thinking. Divergent thinking: The divergent thinker will tend to produce not only many different answers, but also some that may be fairly original.
Bilingualism and the brain
Studies often focus on brain lateralization—whether language processing occurs more in the left or right hemisphere. Their meta-analysis found that language processing in both bilinguals and monolinguals is generally dominated by the left hemisphere, with few significant differences between the groups. Paivio and Desrochers' dual coding model (1980), combine proposing that bilinguals have separate language systems interconnected through shared non-verbal and conceptual channels.
Bilingualism and communicative sensitivity
Ben-Zeev's research in 1977 explored how bilingual and monolingual children performed on Piagetian cognitive tests. Bialystok (1992) proposed that bilinguals excel in selective attention, which helps them succeed across spatial and linguistic tasks. This skill is likely honed by managing two languages, choosing contextually appropriate words, and following social conventions specific to each language.
BILINGUALISM AND ‘INTELLIGENCE’
From the early 19th century to the 1960s, many academics thought bilingualism harmed intelligence. Studies like Saer’s (1923) showed bilingual children scoring lower on IQ tests, which was blamed on “mental confusion.” However, these studies had serious flaws, such as testing in the weaker language of bilinguals. Later research has shown a more complex view of bilingualism and intelligence (Baker, 2011, pp. 137–139).
The Period of Neutral Effects
In early research, bilingualism was often thought to harm cognitive abilities, but later studies suggested a more neutral or even positive impact. Peal and Lambert’s 1962 their research revealed that bilingualism could enhance cognitive flexibility and abstract thinking. Since then, studies have often supported these findings, and the focus has shifted to exploring diverse cognitive benefits of bilingualism beyond IQ alone (Baker, 2011, pp. 140-142).
Cummins (1976) suggested three main explanations for the cognitive advantages often seen in bilinguals. Cultural and Experiential Enrichment: Bilinguals may benefit from operating in two languages and cultures, providing them with a broader range of experiences and perspectives. Cognitive Flexibility through Language Switching: The frequent switching between languages may make bilinguals more flexible in their thinking. Objectification or Metalinguistic Awareness: Bilinguals often compare their two languages, which could lead to heightened awareness of language structure and function, known as metalinguistic awareness.
Cognitive theories
Within the context of Cognitive Learning Theory, the development of an individual’s cognitive processes has a significant impact on individual learning. Different cognitive processes are important at different stages of learning.
Reynolds (1991) proposed a more integrated theory using Sternberg’s model of intelligence, which includes three dimensions that may help explain bilinguals’ cognitive strengths: Contextual: Bilinguals may adapt better to diverse environments due to their experience in navigating different linguistic and cultural settings. Experiential: Early language switching and dual language use may enhance bilinguals’ ability to automate familiar tasks, freeing cognitive resources for new challenges. Componential: The need to control two languages could strengthen executive functions, such as attention and information processing, benefiting bilinguals in verbal and cognitive tasks.
How does bilingualism affect cognitive development?
The effects of bilingualism on cognitive development can be observed in several key areas:
- Attention Skills
- Visual Processing Skills
- Auditory Processing Skills
- Sensory Integration Skills
- Memory Skills
- Executive Functions
- Logic and Reasoning
- Higher-Order Executive Functions
Bilingualism and metalinguistic awareness
Research shows that bilingual children often have cognitive advantages over monolingual children, especially in their understanding and flexibility with language. Bilinguals tend to have a larger overall vocabulary when counting both languages, which may help them think more freely and creatively about word meanings.
The cognitive benefits of bilingualism depend on factors like the child’s skill level in both languages and the types of language activities they experience.
Bilingualism and cognition
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Bilingualism and cognition
Intelligence
Metalinguistic awarness
Communicative sensitivity
The Period of Neutral Effects
Findings
Brain
Cognitive theory
Text button
Divergent and Creative Thinking
How does bilingualism affect cognitive development?
Lorem ipsum dolor
Volver
Cummins (1975, 1977) found that balanced bilinguals were superior to ‘matched’ non-balanced bilinguals on the fluency and flexibility scales of verbal divergence, and marginally on originality. Evidence suggests that balanced bilinguals have superior divergent thinking skills compared with unbalanced bilinguals and monolinguals.
Bilingualism and Divergent and Creative Thinking
A child regarded as a diverger is more creative, imaginative, elastic, open ended and free in thinking. Divergent thinking: The divergent thinker will tend to produce not only many different answers, but also some that may be fairly original.
Bilingualism and the brain
Studies often focus on brain lateralization—whether language processing occurs more in the left or right hemisphere. Their meta-analysis found that language processing in both bilinguals and monolinguals is generally dominated by the left hemisphere, with few significant differences between the groups. Paivio and Desrochers' dual coding model (1980), combine proposing that bilinguals have separate language systems interconnected through shared non-verbal and conceptual channels.
Bilingualism and communicative sensitivity
Ben-Zeev's research in 1977 explored how bilingual and monolingual children performed on Piagetian cognitive tests. Bialystok (1992) proposed that bilinguals excel in selective attention, which helps them succeed across spatial and linguistic tasks. This skill is likely honed by managing two languages, choosing contextually appropriate words, and following social conventions specific to each language.
BILINGUALISM AND ‘INTELLIGENCE’
From the early 19th century to the 1960s, many academics thought bilingualism harmed intelligence. Studies like Saer’s (1923) showed bilingual children scoring lower on IQ tests, which was blamed on “mental confusion.” However, these studies had serious flaws, such as testing in the weaker language of bilinguals. Later research has shown a more complex view of bilingualism and intelligence (Baker, 2011, pp. 137–139).
The Period of Neutral Effects
In early research, bilingualism was often thought to harm cognitive abilities, but later studies suggested a more neutral or even positive impact. Peal and Lambert’s 1962 their research revealed that bilingualism could enhance cognitive flexibility and abstract thinking. Since then, studies have often supported these findings, and the focus has shifted to exploring diverse cognitive benefits of bilingualism beyond IQ alone (Baker, 2011, pp. 140-142).
Cummins (1976) suggested three main explanations for the cognitive advantages often seen in bilinguals. Cultural and Experiential Enrichment: Bilinguals may benefit from operating in two languages and cultures, providing them with a broader range of experiences and perspectives. Cognitive Flexibility through Language Switching: The frequent switching between languages may make bilinguals more flexible in their thinking. Objectification or Metalinguistic Awareness: Bilinguals often compare their two languages, which could lead to heightened awareness of language structure and function, known as metalinguistic awareness.
Cognitive theories
Within the context of Cognitive Learning Theory, the development of an individual’s cognitive processes has a significant impact on individual learning. Different cognitive processes are important at different stages of learning.
Reynolds (1991) proposed a more integrated theory using Sternberg’s model of intelligence, which includes three dimensions that may help explain bilinguals’ cognitive strengths: Contextual: Bilinguals may adapt better to diverse environments due to their experience in navigating different linguistic and cultural settings. Experiential: Early language switching and dual language use may enhance bilinguals’ ability to automate familiar tasks, freeing cognitive resources for new challenges. Componential: The need to control two languages could strengthen executive functions, such as attention and information processing, benefiting bilinguals in verbal and cognitive tasks.
How does bilingualism affect cognitive development?
The effects of bilingualism on cognitive development can be observed in several key areas:
Bilingualism and metalinguistic awareness
Research shows that bilingual children often have cognitive advantages over monolingual children, especially in their understanding and flexibility with language. Bilinguals tend to have a larger overall vocabulary when counting both languages, which may help them think more freely and creatively about word meanings.
The cognitive benefits of bilingualism depend on factors like the child’s skill level in both languages and the types of language activities they experience.