Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is widely theorized to stem from dysfunctional inhibitory processes. However, the definition of inhibition is imprecisely distinguished across theories. To clarify the evidence for this conception, the author relies on a heuristic distinction between inhibition that is under executive control and inhibition that is under motivational control (anxiety or fear). It is argued that ADHD is unlikely to be due to a motivational inhibitory control deficit, although suggestions are made for additional studies that could overturn that conclusion. Evidence for a deficit in an executive motor inhibition process for the ADHD combined type is more compelling but is not equally strong for all forms of executive inhibitory control. Remaining issues include specificity to ADHD, whether inhibitory problems are primary or secondary in causing ADHD, role of comorbid anxiety and conduct disorder, and functional deficits in the inattentive ADHD subtype.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 571-598 |
| Number of pages | 28 |
| Journal | Psychological Bulletin |
| Volume | 127 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2001 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
Cite this
Is ADHD a disinhibitory disorder? / Nigg, Joel.
In: Psychological Bulletin, Vol. 127, No. 5, 01.01.2001, p. 571-598.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Is ADHD a disinhibitory disorder?
AU - Nigg, Joel
PY - 2001/1/1
Y1 - 2001/1/1
N2 - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is widely theorized to stem from dysfunctional inhibitory processes. However, the definition of inhibition is imprecisely distinguished across theories. To clarify the evidence for this conception, the author relies on a heuristic distinction between inhibition that is under executive control and inhibition that is under motivational control (anxiety or fear). It is argued that ADHD is unlikely to be due to a motivational inhibitory control deficit, although suggestions are made for additional studies that could overturn that conclusion. Evidence for a deficit in an executive motor inhibition process for the ADHD combined type is more compelling but is not equally strong for all forms of executive inhibitory control. Remaining issues include specificity to ADHD, whether inhibitory problems are primary or secondary in causing ADHD, role of comorbid anxiety and conduct disorder, and functional deficits in the inattentive ADHD subtype.
AB - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is widely theorized to stem from dysfunctional inhibitory processes. However, the definition of inhibition is imprecisely distinguished across theories. To clarify the evidence for this conception, the author relies on a heuristic distinction between inhibition that is under executive control and inhibition that is under motivational control (anxiety or fear). It is argued that ADHD is unlikely to be due to a motivational inhibitory control deficit, although suggestions are made for additional studies that could overturn that conclusion. Evidence for a deficit in an executive motor inhibition process for the ADHD combined type is more compelling but is not equally strong for all forms of executive inhibitory control. Remaining issues include specificity to ADHD, whether inhibitory problems are primary or secondary in causing ADHD, role of comorbid anxiety and conduct disorder, and functional deficits in the inattentive ADHD subtype.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047686537&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85047686537&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1037/0033-2909.127.5.571
DO - 10.1037/0033-2909.127.5.571
M3 - Article
C2 - 11548968
AN - SCOPUS:85047686537
VL - 127
SP - 571
EP - 598
JO - Psychological Bulletin
JF - Psychological Bulletin
SN - 0033-2909
IS - 5
ER -