Assessing the Evidence for Asymmetrical Switch Costs and Reversed Language Dominance Effects – A Meta-Analysis

Gade, Miriam; Declerck, Mathieu; Philipp, Andrea M.; Rey-Mermet, Alodie; Koch, Iring · 2021 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.5334/joc.186

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Summary

This meta-analysis investigates the empirical robustness of two controversial phenomena in bilingual language control: asymmetrical language switch costs and the reversed language dominance effect. Asymmetrical switch costs refer to larger performance deficits when switching into a dominant language compared to a less dominant one, theoretically indicating transient, reactive inhibitory control. The reversed language dominance effect describes slower reaction times in the dominant language during mixed-language blocks, suggesting sustained, proactive inhibition. Despite their theoretical significance, previous empirical findings have been mixed, with many studies failing to replicate these effects. The authors aimed to establish whether these phenomena are generalizable and to identify potential moderating variables, such as language proficiency and preparation time, that might explain the inconsistent literature. The researchers conducted a systematic review of published studies, extracting data from 73 experiments that met strict inclusion criteria. The analysis focused on vocal production reaction times for single-word naming tasks in mixed-language blocks, excluding studies involving comprehension tasks, multi-word utterances, or three-language switching paradigms. To assess language dominance, the authors computed a dominance ratio based on self-assessed or objective proficiency scores reported in the original studies. Using a Bayesian linear mixed-effects modeling approach, they analyzed the aggregated data to test for the presence of asymmetrical switch costs and reversed dominance effects, while also examining the influence of moderators like paradigm type and preparation time. The results indicate that there is little evidence for the generality or robustness of either asymmetrical switch costs or the reversed language dominance effect. Although some individual studies reported these phenomena, the meta-analytic data did not support their existence as consistent patterns across the literature. Furthermore, the inclusion of potential moderators, such as language proficiency ratios and preparation time manipulations, did not reveal confirmed boundary conditions that would explain the variability in previous findings. The analysis suggests that the observed effects are not stable enough to serve as reliable indices for distinguishing between reactive and proactive language control mechanisms. The authors conclude that while asymmetrical switch costs and the reversed language dominance effect remain important for theoretical development, their utility for testing theories of language control is limited due to their lack of robustness and the absence of identified moderatory variables. The findings challenge the prevailing inhibitory control accounts that rely on these effects as primary evidence. This study highlights the need for more rigorous assessment of language dominance and suggests that future research should look beyond these specific phenomena to better understand the mechanisms of bilingual language selection.

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• task switching