Bilingual Effect in the Development of Executive Function

Abstract

The article presents the results of a theoretical review, the purpose of which is to highlight the problem of the influence of bilingualism on the development of executive function change in modern research. The analysis of this problem points to the differentiated contribution of bilingualism to the functioning of such cognitive processes as inhibition, working memory and shifting. The problem is that the established term "bilingual advantage", describing the influence of bilingualism on the development of mental structures, is not correct, since the authors note both positive and negative consequences of bilingualism reflected in child development. As a result, researchers have adopted the concept of "bilingual effect", which allows for various options for the impact of bilingualism on the development of cognitive structures. This article urges to indicate the limitations in modern studies of bilinguals, is aimed at finding prospects for further study of this problem.