How bilingual experience influences flexibility of the cognitive system. Neural bases and consequences for social categorization.

 

FOCUS program Project supported by the Polish Science Foundation (FNP). Project leader: Zofia Wodniecka, Ph.D, cooperation: Marcin Bukowski.

The goal of the proposed project is to investigate the impact of bilingualism and second language expertise on three levels of analysis: cognitive (the mind), neural (the brain) and social (thoughts about, and interactions with, others). We build on the assumption that the three levels interact and that a full understanding of mental functions is only possible when all three perspectives are taken into account.

We investigate the development of control processes and mental flexibility during the course of second language immersion. The project addresses two specific aims: 1) to examine how cognitive control and its neural correlates change over the course of development of second language expertise, and 2) to explore potential effects of second-language learning and bilingualism on social cognition.