Claiming evidence from non‐evidence: a reply to Morton and Harper

E Bialystok�- Developmental science, 2009 - Wiley Online Library
Developmental science, 2009Wiley Online Library
Morton and Harper (2007) argue that research presented in support of a bilingual advantage
in the development of executive control has been confounded with social class, the actual
mechanism for group differences. As evidence, they report a study in which a small group of
monolingual and bilingual 6‐and 7‐year‐olds performed similarly on a Simon task. The
present paper points to weaknesses in their experimental design, analysis, and logic that
together undermine their criticism of the conclusion that bilingualism is responsible for the�…
Abstract
Morton and Harper (2007 ) argue that research presented in support of a bilingual advantage in the development of executive control has been confounded with social class, the actual mechanism for group differences. As evidence, they report a study in which a small group of monolingual and bilingual 6‐ and 7‐year‐olds performed similarly on a Simon task. The present paper points to weaknesses in their experimental design, analysis, and logic that together undermine their criticism of the conclusion that bilingualism is responsible for the reported group differences.
Wiley Online Library