Bilingualism: Consequences for mind and brain
Dr. Ellen Bialystok, York University
Monday, November 2nd at 5:30 p.m., 118 Psychology
Abstract
A growing body of research conducted with people at all stages in the lifespan, from infancy to old age, shows that the experience of being actively bilingual reshapes the mind and brain. The most fundamental of all cognitive systems is executive control, and this ability is enhanced in bilinguals at all ages. The most dramatic results come from older age, showing better maintained cognitive performance in elderly bilingual adults and protection against the onset of symptoms of dementia. This talk will review the evidence from these studies and propose an explanation for these consequences of bilingualism.
Suggested Reading
Ellen Bialystok, Fergus I.M. Craik, and Gigi Luk (2012). Bilingualism: Consequences for mind and brain. Trends in Cognitive Science, 16 no. 4.[.pdf]
Ellen Bialystok (2015). Bilingualism and the development of executive function: The role of attention. Child Development Perspectives, 9 no. 2, 117-121.[.pdf]
Ellen Bialystok, Fergus I.M. Craik, Malcolm Binns, and Lynn Ossher (2014). Effects of bilingualism on the age of onset and progression of MCI and AD: Evidence from executive function tests. Neuropsychology, 28 no. 2, 290-304.[.pdf]