The relationship between multilingualism and executive function in older adults

dc.contributor.authorWheeler, Elfrieda
dc.date.accessioned2021-03-16T13:50:49Z
dc.date.available2021-03-16T13:50:49Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.descriptionA research report submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree Master of Arts in Social and Psychological Research by Coursework and Research Report in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand, 2020en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis study explored the possible benefits of multilingualism for executive functioning(EF) as evidence for a bi/multilingual advantage is not yet established. Using multiple regression analyses, the aim of this study was to investigate whether proficiency in multiple languages is related to EF, namely task-switching and inhibitory control, in a sample of 50 South African older adults (aged 65 years or more), while controlling for socioeconomic status (SES) and mild cognitive impairment. Proficiency in multiple languages, as well as age of second language (L2) and third language (L3) acquisition and frequency of L2 and L3 use were measured using the Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire (LEAP-Q; Marian, Blumenfeld, & Kaushanskaya, 2007). The EF of task-switching was measured using the Simon task which produced variables such as response time on incongruent trials, total amount of errors, and the Simon effect. For the EF of inhibitory control, the Victoria Stroop Task (VST) was used which produced variables such as response times on the incongruent colour-word condition, number of errors made on the colour-word condition, and an interference effect. For the control variables, SES was measured using the Living Standards Measure and mild cognitive impairment was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (REF). Socioeconomic status emerged as the only significant predictor of total errors made on the Simon task, such that higher SES predicted fewer errors. In addition, L3 frequency of use was the only significant predictor of incongruent response time on the Simon task, with more frequentL3 use related to slower response times on the incongruent condition of the Simon task. This suggests that speaking a third language may add a processing cost to EF. Overall, the results of this study suggest that SES, rather than bi/multilingualism, is related to better EF in older adults. In effect, SES may be more important for cognitive reserve than bi/multilingualism in older South African adultsen_ZA
dc.description.librarianCK2021en_ZA
dc.facultyFaculty of Humanitiesen_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/30736
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.schoolSchool of Human and Community Developmenten_ZA
dc.titleThe relationship between multilingualism and executive function in older adultsen_ZA
dc.typeThesisen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
E Wheeler Abstract.pdf
Size:
9.42 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
Final Research Report E Wheeler FINAL.pdf
Size:
2.06 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Collections