Heijnen, N. (2022) Linking Effort Allocation, Cognitive Control, and ADHD Symptomology in University Students. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Prior research regarding attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) indicates neurocognitive deficits. The state regulation model (SRM) accounts for this deficit in terms of an insufficiency in allocating effort in suboptimal conditions to perform at an optimal level. The dual mechanisms framework of cognitive control accounts for these deficits in terms of differences in use of proactive (preparatory) and reactive (responsive) cognitive control. Cognitive control can be linked to the lower levels of information processing in the SRM. The current study investigated interactions between cognitive control, effort allocation, and how levels of ADHD may affect these systems. 49 university students completed the CAARS and Task-Switching Paradigm. T-CAARS ADHD index and mean RTs were administered. Using the dimensional approach for ADHD symptoms, RM-ANOVAs and RM-ANCOVA were computed to test the interactions. Effort allocation was manipulated through event rate (fast, medium, slow) and cognitive control through cue informativeness (informative, alerting, no cue). Results indicated a significant effect for the interaction between “cognitive control” (cue level) and “effort allocation” (event rate; p <.001) and a tendency between “ADHD levels” and “effort allocation” (p = .082). No effects were found for the interaction between “cognitive control” and “ADHD levels” and for the three-way interaction. The significant result and the tendency can be explained in terms of the SRM. The non-significant effects are explained inability to distinguish between proactive and reactive cognitive control. Future research should use more complex tasks, include a larger sample size, and distinguish between proactive and reactive cognitive control. Keywords: ADHD, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, State Regulation Model, Effort Allocation, Dual Mechanisms Framework, Proactive Cognitive Control, Reactive Cognitive Control, Task-Switching Paradigm, University Students, Dimensional Approach
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Supervisor name: | Mohamed, S.M.H. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Developmental Psychology (DP) [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Jan 2022 15:32 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Jan 2022 15:32 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/52 |
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