The distractibility and impulsivity that characterizes people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have been an evolutionary advantage for our ancestors. This helped them get food more efficiently. To this conclusion came scientists from the University of Pennsylvania in the USA.
An online game was developed for the study: participants had to collect as many berries as possible in the allotted time. This experiment helped evaluate the impact of ADHD symptoms on human search behavior. It turns out that in situations where physical activity and quick decision-making are valued, ADHD symptoms can be a plus. “Our results are the first to show benefits in certain contexts,” the study said.
The researchers analyzed data from 457 adults, 206 of whom had symptoms of ADHD. It was found that participants with higher ADHD scores scored higher in the game than those with lower ADHD scores. This is what led scientists to conclude that ADHD is an evolutionary advantage that helped our ancestors get food.
However, the researchers acknowledge that there may be inaccuracies in the results. The problem is that the presence or absence of ADHD symptoms in the study participants was based on self-report.
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2024-02-25 14:00:00
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