Insights into the control of attentional set in ADHD using the attentional blink paradigm.

BACKGROUND: Previous work on visual selective attention in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has utilised spatial search paradigms. This study compared ADHD to control children on a temporal search task using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP). In addition, the effects of irrelev...

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Main Authors: Mason, D, Humphreys, G, Kent, L
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2005
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author Mason, D
Humphreys, G
Kent, L
author_facet Mason, D
Humphreys, G
Kent, L
author_sort Mason, D
collection OXFORD
description BACKGROUND: Previous work on visual selective attention in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has utilised spatial search paradigms. This study compared ADHD to control children on a temporal search task using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP). In addition, the effects of irrelevant singleton distractors on search performance were examined. METHOD: In each condition, subjects reported the identity of a red letter 'probe' in a sequence of white letters which appeared one after the other at a central fixation point. The temporal position of the probe varied from an initial target, which was distinguished by surrounding asterisks. The target was reported in addition to the probe in condition 2, but not in the baseline condition 1. In a third condition, the initial target was not reported, but one of the asterisks appeared as a colour singleton on some trials. RESULTS: All children displayed an 'attentional blink' with probe detection reduced when it appeared at close temporal relations relative to the target. This 'blink' reduced over time, and there were no group differences in the recovery of performance, although ADHD children made more errors overall. The ADHD group were also more vulnerable than controls to distraction from irrelevant singletons in condition 3. CONCLUSION: Although the basic mechanisms of selective attention were not impaired in children with ADHD, these children appeared to require more resources to execute the task and were more vulnerable to distraction by irrelevant singletons, indicating deficits in the maintenance of attentional control.
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spelling oxford-uuid:92ff32d3-1821-43f5-a534-7f5ec6394f662022-03-26T23:29:18ZInsights into the control of attentional set in ADHD using the attentional blink paradigm.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:92ff32d3-1821-43f5-a534-7f5ec6394f66EnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2005Mason, DHumphreys, GKent, L BACKGROUND: Previous work on visual selective attention in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has utilised spatial search paradigms. This study compared ADHD to control children on a temporal search task using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP). In addition, the effects of irrelevant singleton distractors on search performance were examined. METHOD: In each condition, subjects reported the identity of a red letter 'probe' in a sequence of white letters which appeared one after the other at a central fixation point. The temporal position of the probe varied from an initial target, which was distinguished by surrounding asterisks. The target was reported in addition to the probe in condition 2, but not in the baseline condition 1. In a third condition, the initial target was not reported, but one of the asterisks appeared as a colour singleton on some trials. RESULTS: All children displayed an 'attentional blink' with probe detection reduced when it appeared at close temporal relations relative to the target. This 'blink' reduced over time, and there were no group differences in the recovery of performance, although ADHD children made more errors overall. The ADHD group were also more vulnerable than controls to distraction from irrelevant singletons in condition 3. CONCLUSION: Although the basic mechanisms of selective attention were not impaired in children with ADHD, these children appeared to require more resources to execute the task and were more vulnerable to distraction by irrelevant singletons, indicating deficits in the maintenance of attentional control.
spellingShingle Mason, D
Humphreys, G
Kent, L
Insights into the control of attentional set in ADHD using the attentional blink paradigm.
title Insights into the control of attentional set in ADHD using the attentional blink paradigm.
title_full Insights into the control of attentional set in ADHD using the attentional blink paradigm.
title_fullStr Insights into the control of attentional set in ADHD using the attentional blink paradigm.
title_full_unstemmed Insights into the control of attentional set in ADHD using the attentional blink paradigm.
title_short Insights into the control of attentional set in ADHD using the attentional blink paradigm.
title_sort insights into the control of attentional set in adhd using the attentional blink paradigm
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