Dual-condition reinforcement-sensitivity indexing of visuospatial WM and STM in ADHD subtypes

Design · All designs
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 causal), q3 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description

The study operationalizes reinforcement sensitivity by administering the same visuospatial WM and STM tasks under two conditions: a standard feedback-only condition and a high-reinforcement condition adding a monetary reward. Reinforcement sensitivity is then indexed as the difference in performance between the reinforcement conditions, allowing motivational impairment to be measured separately from baseline memory capacity. This design also permits subtype comparisons (ADHD-C vs ADHD-I vs controls) while controlling for the interaction between motivational impairments and cognitive performance.

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

• Administration of identical visuospatial WM and STM tasks under both a standard feedback-only condition and a high-reinforcement condition

Constraints

• Reinforcement sensitivity is operationalized only as the performance difference between the two conditions, not as a broader motivational construct

Target Learners

• children aged 8-12 with ADHD-C or ADHD-I
• typically developing children aged 8-12

Learning Goals

• measuring visuospatial working memory and short-term memory capacity
• indexing sensitivity to reinforcement

Claims

• Motivational Impairments Uncommon 22 Percent Equal Subtypes [+M]
• Memory Motivation Independent Neuropsychological Domains [+M]

Related Designs

Examples

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Key Sources

• S. Dovis, S. van der Oord, H.M. Huizenga, R.W. Wiers, P.J.M. Prins. (2015). Prevalence and diagnostic validity of motivational impairments and deficits in visuospatial short-term memory and working memory in ADHD subtypes. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 24(5), 575-590. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0612-1

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	design
id	dual-condition-reinforcement-indexing-adhd
title	Dual-condition reinforcement-sensitivity indexing of visuospatial WM and STM in ADHD subtypes
description	The study operationalizes reinforcement sensitivity by administering the same visuospatial WM and STM tasks under two conditions: a standard feedback-only condition and a high-reinforcement condition adding a monetary...
status	review
generated	by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-17
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources	1 — s-dovis-2015

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