| Abstract: | Measured the performance of 30 children (aged 5 yrs 11 mo to 11 yrs) with attention deficit disorder (ADD) on a nonsense-word spelling task. The effects of 2 reinforcement schedules, partial and continuous, and methylphenidate (MPHN 0.3 mg/kg]) were assessed. Ss were assigned to 1 of 3 groups—no reinforcement, continuous reinforcement, and partial reinforcement. They performed the spelling task twice, once after ingesting MPHN and once following placebo ingestion. Results indicate that both reward conditions had large and equivalent beneficial effects on learning, as did MPHN. When reinforcement was combined with MPHN, performance was maximized. The results fail to support V. I. Douglas's (1983, 1985) hypothesis that partial reinforcement schedules have adverse effects on hyperactive children. The results also demonstrate the incremental value of the combination of MPHN and reinforcement in treatment of ADD. (46 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
