Research has studied how a bilingual individual's first language (L1) and second language (L2) interact, and it has been shown that both languages have an influence not only on the function of one another, but also on cognitive function outside of language. Research on executive functions such as working memory, perception, and attentional and inhibitory control, has suggested that bilinguals can benefit from significant cognitive advantages over monolingual peers in various settings. There are also age-related benefits, which seem to confer protective effects against cognitive decline in older adults.