Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a common disorder in children and adolescence and includes symptoms of impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattentiveness. Depression is a mood disorder that is common in adults and is characterized by a persistent negative mood, loss of pleasure in activities, and irritability. Both disorders are associated with experiencing time more slowly than control groups. This slowed time perception in individuals with ADHD is the basis for this study. I hypothesized (1) frequent ADHD symptoms would be correlated with more errors in the experiments, (2) more errors on the experiments would indicate higher levels of depressive symptoms, and (3) frequent ADHD symptoms will be correlated with high levels of depression, anxiety, and impulsivity. Participants were split into two groups, being those who scored high on an ADHD self-report scale, and those who scored low. Time perception was measured by using three experimental time tasks, estimation, comparison, and reproduction. No differences were found between groups on the experimental tasks. Both groups appeared to have more error as durations were longer. No correlations were found between errors and levels of depression. I did find significant correlations between frequent ADHD symptoms and high levels of anxiety, depression, and impulsivity though, as higher reports of one indicated higher reports of another. My lack of findings does not take away from all of the previous research done, indicating that individuals with ADHD do experience time differently, which leads to many of the symptoms that are associated with the disorder.

Advisor

Wilhelms, Evan

Department

Psychology

Disciplines

Child Psychology | Cognition and Perception | Cognitive Psychology | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | Personality and Social Contexts | Social Psychology

Publication Date

2021

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2021 Kelsi Lee Trivette