Does Speaking Two Languages Facilitate Perspective-Taking? (Poster 19)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: Motivation and Cognitive Processes (San Diego)

Abstract

Perspective taking has been found to be closely related to one’s executive function – inhibitory control in particular, as people need to inhibit egocentric viewpoints to better tune into others’ mental states. Bilinguals have been argued to have enhanced executive functioning due to years of practice activating the appropriate language, inhibiting the other one, and monitoring the context to make switches. In this study we examined whether bilinguals have an advantage in both executive function and perspective taking. Using measures including the computerized Director’s Task and standard executive function tasks, we found no support for a bilingual advantage in perspective taking, and bilingual and monolingual participants had comparable executive function performance. Possible explanations and recommendations for future studies are discussed.

Authors

• Nan Mu, Johns Hopkins University

• Lisa B. Hsin, American Institutes for Research