Originally Posted by Grinity
Originally Posted by Verona
So I tried an experiment. ...

Would the added "computer motivation" be enough for a child with an attention problem to pull himself together for a test? Is not having internal motivation part of ADHD? I had been thinking that his "not caring" attitude was a way of covering up feeling inadequate because he wasn't able to show his understanding on tests. But maybe I'm off base. . .
In the short run, especially, a higher value reinforcer can certainly change behavior in a kid with ADHD. There is even a study that shows that when the 'time to reward' is short, ADHD kids will perform as well on tasks as other kids, and they fall apart when the 'time to reward' is long.

Most people with ADHD have alterations in the dopamine and norepinephrine systems of the brain. Dopamine, in addition to being involved in attention, is deeply involved in the reward system of the brain. Anticipation of imminent rewards, especially novel rewards and high-value rewards, increases dopamine temporarily (which actually increases the ability to pay attention), and there is a dopamine surge with the receipt of the reward. The dopamine system habituates very quickly, though.