Simon Task

What is the Simon Task?

  • The Simon Task measures selective attention and executive/cognitive control

  • In particular, focuses on inhibitory control:

    • The ability to ignore non-relevant information

A short video

Let’s try

  • You’ll see red and green squares appear on either the left or right.
  • Your job: press the correct key based on colour
    • F = red
    • J = green
  • Ignore whether the square is on the left or right!
  • Ready? Click “Start Practice” on the next slide!

Practice Trial

Reminder: F = red square, J = green square

Main Trial

  • Now for the real thing. Click “Start Main Task” to begin!

Simon task findings (Bialystok et al. 2004)

1. Who was slower?

Monolinguals
Bilinguals
I don’t know

2. What happens to the Simon effect with age (50+)?

It decreases: older people are faster
It increases: older people are slower
It stays the same

Simon task findings

  • Monolinguals were slower. Why?
    • Bilinguals displayed enhanced executive control
      • In particular, they exhibited greater inhibitory control
      • Greater control = bilinguals faster

  • Evidence from psycholinguistic studies of adult language processing shows that the two languages of a bilingual remain constantly active while processing is carried out in one of them.
    • The joint activity of the two systems requires a mechanism for keeping the languages separate so that fluent performance can be achieved without intrusions from the unwanted language.

  • Also, notice the difference with age:
    • Less age-related decline for bilinguals!