The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between bilingualism and performance on cognitive control tasks (Attention Network Task (ANT), Stroop Color Word Task (SCWT), Stop Signal Task (SST), and Verbal Maintenance and Manipulation Task (VMNM)) using a UCLA database consisting of monolinguals and English-Spanish bilinguals. Previous studies have shown mixed results when comparing cognitive abilities of bilingual to monolinguals, with some studies suggestive of a bilingual advantage and others suggestive of a disadvantage. Inconsistent prior findings in this area point to a continued need for appropriate assessment instruments. Further, established norms that are specific for bilingual speakers are needed to reliably and accurately differentiate monolinguals with a language impairment from typically developing bilinguals (Bailey, Venta, & Langley, 2020). We initially examined the effects of bilingual dominance index on conflict effect response time on the ANT and SCWT. Dominance index scores did not predict conflict-processing performance on either of the tasks. Due to the task operations and measured variables, the results suggest that bilingual dominance index did not significantly affect response time. Further analyses with the SST and VMNM also showed very little relationship between bilingual language dominance and response inhibition or working memory. Taken together, results of this study suggest that the degree of bilingualism is not correlated with performance on cognitive control tasks. However, an alternative explanation is that language fluency tests may not be the best way to quantify bilingualism, indicating that further research in this area is warranted.

Dawson Myers would like to thank his faculty sponsor Dr. Kaufman for their support in this project.