Effects of positive and negative feedback on behavior control in hyperactive and normal boys

Abstract

The hypothesis that hyperactive boys have relatively less response to negative feedback than to positive feedback was studied. Sixteen hyperactive boys and 16 controls were compared on two tasks under different feedback conditions. Feedback conditions were no feedback, positive feedback, and negative feedback. Tasks were symbol encoding and correcting spelling words. Hyperactives and controls were compared in amount of time on-task and amount of work correctly completed. Hyperactives were on-task significantly more under conditions of negative feedback than under positive feedback, but negative feedback significantly increased errors on the spelling correction task. Controls were equally responsive to positive, negative, or no feedback. Hyperactives accomplished significantly less than controls on the coding task, but performed as well as controls on the spelling correction task, which was administered to each boy at his own level of spelling ability. The results imply that while consistent negative feedback can reduce off-task behavior for hyperactives, it can also decrease the accuracy of the work they are doing.

Evidence for increased behavioral control by punishment in children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…They may focus more on avoiding punishment, distracting them from, or reducing their engagement in, desirable behavior that would lead to better outcomes. Worland () reported negative consequences reduced off‐task behavior, but also task accuracy, in hyperactive boys. Punishment may reduce undesirable behaviors in the short‐term; however, its long‐term use may have unanticipated and unwanted side effects in children with ADHD.…”

“…In this study, we use an operant procedure that allows more direct measurement of contingency effects on behavior (Bull, Tippett, & Addis, ). Earlier studies have used single schedules demonstrating the effectiveness of mild punishment in reducing off‐task or maintaining on‐task behavior in children with ADHD (Rapport, Murphy, & Bailey, ; Rosén, O'Leary, Joyce, Conway, & Pfiffner, ; Worland, ). The current study uses concurrent schedules to assess the extent to which punishment influences response allocation in children with and without ADHD.…”

Neural Substrates of Decision Making in Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“…Indi viduals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) respond to reinforcements, such as rewards or punishments, differently than healthy comparison subjects (for review, see reference 1). Some reports have shown that children with ADHD require stronger and more salient reinforcers to regulate their behavior than do healthy children, that they are less sensitive to changes in reinforcement contingencies (2), and that negative reinforcers are more effective than rewards in enhancing their cognitive performance (3)(4)(5)(6). Other reports on the effects of reinforcement contingencies (7) and on the effectiveness of punishment (8) have not supported these findings.…”

Ritalin vs. Response Cost in the Control of Hyperactive Children: A Within‐subject Comparison

“…First, its effectiveness in treating disruptive children in classroom settings is well established (e.g., Hundert, 1976). Second, response cost has been found to be more effective than either neuroleptic medication (Breuning, O'Neill, & Ferguson, 1980) or positive reinforcement (Worland, 1976). Third, undesirable side effects frequently associated with aversive procedures are not typically reported with response cost (Kaufman & O'Leary, 1972 …”