EFFECT OF BILINGUALISM ON COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY: A PSYCHOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS

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Published: 2025-08-28
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46281/bjmsr.v10i6.2591
Keywords:
Terms-Cognitive Plasticity, Adaptive Strategies, Cognitive Linguistics, Psycholinguistics, Language Interference

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Olga Sakharova
Acting Professor of the Department of Languages, Faculty of History and Theory of Music and Composition, and Foreign Students, Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Music Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1879-6660
Tetiana Nedashkivska
Professor, Head of Department of Slavic and Germanic Philology and Translation, Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University, Zhytomyr, Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7810-8773
Svitlana Kozak
Associate Professor, English Department in Marine Engineering, National University “Odessa Maritime Academy”, Odesa, Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5764-2920
Tetiana Nikolaieva
Associate Professor, Department of Foreign Philology, Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, Kyiv, Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4642-1578
Svitlana Romanchuk
Associate Professor, Department of Journalism, Faculty of Humanities, Ukrainian Institute of Art and Science, Bucha, Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5737-2951

Abstract

Bilingualism is a factor that activates the development of executive functions and contributes to cognitive flexibility. However, scientific research has little to do with the psychocognitive aspects of cognitive flexibility. It overlooks the emotional component of this phenomenon, as most cognitive science and psychology research have historically prioritized quantifiable and behaviorally observable elements of cognition. Thus, this research focuses on examining the influence of bilingualism on cognitive flexibility and components of social cognition in students through an experimental study. As for the research design, a Quasi-Experimental Study with intergroup comparison was chosen. This study employed a between-groups quasi-experimental design to compare the cognitive flexibility of bilingual and monolingual students, while addressing the ethical limitations of manipulating natural variables, such as language background. The results: The sample consisted of 40 participants (20 bilinguals and 20 monolinguals), matched for age (p = 0.87) and gender. Education years differed (16.48 vs 14.95, p < 0.001). Bilinguals outperformed monolinguals in D2 attention (1049.76 vs. 865.21, p = 0.001), RL/RI-16 memory (14.68 vs. 13.30, p = 0.027), and emotional fluency (19.00 vs. 14.87, p = 0.011). Cognitive flexibility was higher in bilinguals (84.5 vs 78.2, p = 0.03). Age–flexibility correlation was nonsignificant (r = 0.051, p = 0.351). Thus, it can be assumed that bilingualism contributes to the development of cognitive flexibility and emotional awareness, as this phenomenon holds promise for speech therapy and psycholinguistic practice.


JEL Classification Codes: K00, K11, K12, K33.

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Vol. 10 No. 6 (2025): Continuous Publication

Section

Research Paper/Theoretical Paper/Review Paper/Short Communication Paper
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Olga Sakharova , Acting Professor of the Department of Languages, Faculty of History and Theory of Music and Composition, and Foreign Students, Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Music Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine

Olga Sakharova is a Doctor of Philology, Acting Professor of the Department of Languages, Faculty of History and Theory of Music and Composition, and Foreign Students, Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Music Academy. In 2020, I defended a doctoral dissertation at the Institute of the Ukrainian Language of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv), specialty 10.02.01, Ukrainian language. In 2021, I was awarded the title of Doctor of Philology.  She worked at the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University and Kyiv Slavonic University. Currently works at the Language Department of the National Academy of Music of Ukraine, Tchaikovsky. She is the author of more than 140 articles, manuals, and monographs.

Tetiana Nedashkivska , Professor, Head of Department of Slavic and Germanic Philology and Translation, Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University, Zhytomyr, Ukraine

Tetiana Nedashkivska is a Candidate of Philological Sciences, Professor, Head of Department of Slavic and Germanic Philology and Translation, Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University. She has worked at Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University since 1984, progressing from Assistant to Professor. She also served as Vice Dean and Dean of the Faculty of Philology. Since 2013, she has been Head of the Department of Slavic and Germanic Philology and Translation. Her research interests include semasiology, psycholinguistics, and cognitive linguistics.  She has authored nearly 200 scientific publications. Prof. Nedashkivska is active in academic administration and has contributed to multiple research initiatives.

Svitlana Kozak , Associate Professor, English Department in Marine Engineering, National University “Odessa Maritime Academy”, Odesa, Ukraine

Svitlana Kozak is an Associate Professor of the English Department in Marine Engineering, National University “Odessa Maritime Academy. She graduated from Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University in 1987 with a degree in Romance and Germanic Philology. In 2002, she earned a PhD in Pedagogical Sciences (Theory and Methods of Professional Education). Since 1989, she has been teaching at the National University “Odesa Maritime Academy,” currently serving as Associate Professor of English for Marine Engineering. Her research interests include professional English teaching methodology and cognitive activity.

Tetiana Nikolaieva , Associate Professor, Department of Foreign Philology, Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, Kyiv, Ukraine

Tetiana Nikolaieva is an Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign  Philology in Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts (Kyiv, Ukraine) teaching the English language for professional  and academic  purposes and conducting research  in the sphere of English lexicology, modern methodology  of teaching  English  as a second  language.  Dr.Nikolaieva is a member of CUESC(Center for Ukrainian  and European Scientific Cooperation) Uzhgorod,Ukraine and IESF( International Educators and Scientists Foundation) Kyiv, Ukraine.

Svitlana Romanchuk , Associate Professor, Department of Journalism, Faculty of Humanities, Ukrainian Institute of Art and Science, Bucha, Ukraine

Svitlana Romanchuk is a Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Journalism, Faculty of Humanities, Ukrainian Institute of Art and Science. In 2007, she received a Candidate of Philological Sciences degree in Ukrainian Language from the Institute of the Ukrainian Language, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv. She obtained a Master's degree in Philology, Educational Program “English Language and Literature (Second Language – German)” from the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, Kyiv, in 2024. In 2011, she was awarded the academic title of Associate Professor. She has 28 years of teaching and 24 years of research experience. She has authored over 130 scientific publications.  Her research interests include cognitive linguistics, psycholinguistics, and the formation of communicative competence. Ms. Romanchuk is a member of the jury for the regional stage of the All-Ukrainian Petro Yatsyk Ukrainian Language Olympiad. She is a member of the Volyn Brotherhood public association and participates in accreditation procedures of educational programs at the Ukrainian Institute of Arts and Sciences. She has received awards and certificates from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Kyiv Regional Council, and other institutions. She serves on the editorial board of non-academic publications of the Ukrainian Institute of Arts and Sciences. 

How to Cite

Sakharova , O. ., Nedashkivska , T. ., Kozak , S. ., Nikolaieva , T. ., & Romanchuk , S. . (2025). EFFECT OF BILINGUALISM ON COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY: A PSYCHOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS. Bangladesh Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research, 10(6), 25-35. https://doi.org/10.46281/bjmsr.v10i6.2591
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