二语水平影响双语者创造性思维的认知机制:链式中介分析

Cognitive Mechanisms of the Influence of L2 Proficiency on Bilinguals’Creative Thinking:Serial Mediation Analysis

以往研究虽验证了二语水平对创造性思维的积极影响,并确认了创造性思维领域的双语认知优势,然而对这种影响可能存在的复杂认知机制及影响路径缺少系统探究。为此,本研究通过语言背景问卷、双语切换问卷、认识灵活性测验和创造性思维测验,采用链式中介分析方法,以探究二语水平影响创造性思维的潜在认知机制。结果表明,在二语水平影响创造性思维的过程中,既有直接效应,也有间接效应。直接效应表现为"二语水平→创造性思维"的认知路径,间接效应则包括了"二语水平→双语切换能力→创造性思维""二语水平→认知灵活性→创造性思维"和"二语水平→双语切换能力→认知灵活性→创造性思维"三条认知路径。研究结果为创造性思维领域双语认知优势的有关理论解释提供了实验证据,也拓宽了外语教育的实践价值。

Though previous research has tested the positive influence of L2 proficiency on creative thinking and established a bilingual advantage in creativity,few of them have explored the potential cognitive mechanisms of such influence.Based on serial mediation analysis,the current study investigates the underlying cognitive mechanisms of the influence of L2 proficiency on creative thinking using the Language History Questionnaire,the Bilingual Switching Questionnaire,the test of cognitive flexibility(the More-Odd Shifting Task),and the creative thinking test(the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking).The results suggest that there are both direct and indirect effects of L2 proficiency on creative thinking.The direct cognitive path is"L2 proficiency→creative thinking".The indirect cognitive paths are"L2 proficiency→ratings of bilingual switching→creative thinking","L2 proficiency→cognitive flexibility→creative thinking",and"L2 proficiency→ratings of bilingual switching→cognitive flexibility→creative thinking".The present study provides experimental evidence for the theoretical explanation of bilingual advantage in creativity and expands the scope of the practical value in foreign language education.