Self‐Control in Boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Effects of Added Stimulation and Time

Abstract

Preference for larger-delayed versus more immediate-smaller rewards was studied in 5- and 6-year-old typical boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a repeated measure design. The effect of adding stimulation on preference also was studied. Boys with ADHD chose delayed-larger rewards significantly less than did typical boys. Adding stimulation reduced motoric behavior, but did not affect choice. As rates of motoric activity increased in boys with ADHD, their preference for delayed, larger rewards decreased over time. These findings argue for the external validity of choice tasks in the study of ADHD.