Response Inhibition Abilities as a Function of Bilingual Proficiency

Abstract

The present study was carried out with the aim of exploring response inhibition abilities in high- and low-proficient bilinguals. A total of 40 participants were recruited for the study; among them22 were high-proficient and 18 were low-proficient participants. Stroop task was used. Colors were presented in congruent and incongruent forms and were presented in L1 (Kannada) and L2 (English) languages. Reaction time and accuracy scores were better for congruent as compared to incongruent trails in both the groups. While high-proficient group experienced difficulty in naming incongruent stimulus in L1, low-proficient participants manifested difficulty in naming incongruent stimulus in L1 as well as L2. Neutral stimulus elicited better reaction time and accuracy as compared to Stroop trails for both the groups.

Keywords: response inhibition, bilingual proficiency, Stroop task, colors

Cite this Article: Abhishek B.P., Sanjay S., Nikhilesh J. Response Inhibition Abilities as a Function of Bilingual Proficiency. International Journal of Biomedical Engineering. 2020; 6(1): 1–5p.