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Hot and Cool Aspects of Cognitive Control in Children with ADHD: Decision-Making and Inhibition

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Abstract

This study investigated hot and cool aspects of cognitive control in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study aimed to: (1) replicate the postulated response inhibition deficit of children with ADHD; (2) explore whether children with ADHD choose disadvantageously in a decision-making task and to explore the mechanisms underlying the expected response pattern; and (3) study whether performance on a combination of hot and cool executive control measures has predictive value for an ADHD diagnosis. The sample consisted of 20 children with ADHD and 22 normal developing children (NC, 8 to 12 years) matched on age, FSIQ, and gender. Two paradigms have been applied: (1) the stop signal paradigm, and (2) the adapted children’s version of the IOWA Gambling task. There were no group differences for both paradigms. Both groups chose in a reward-oriented manner and seemed to develop the ability to take future consequences into account in making decisions. Moreover, feedback resulted in direct behavioral changes. Children with ADHD did not have a specific response inhibition deficit or a decision-making deficit.

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Acknowledgements

We want to thank all the parents and children that participated in the current study and Linda Ellenbroek for testing all these children.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Psychonomics, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 15, 1018 WB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Hilde M. Geurts

  2. Division of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Saskia van der Oord

  3. Department of Psychology, University Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Eveline A. Crone

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  1. Hilde M. Geurts
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  2. Saskia van der Oord
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  3. Eveline A. Crone
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Correspondence to Hilde M. Geurts.

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Geurts, H.M., van der Oord, S. & Crone, E.A. Hot and Cool Aspects of Cognitive Control in Children with ADHD: Decision-Making and Inhibition. J Abnorm Child Psychol 34, 811–822 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-006-9059-2

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