Social Perception and Cue Utilization in Adults With ADHD

Abstract

This study examines social perception in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), to determine if they utilize potential cues to deception differently than controls. Participants consisted of 101 adults who reported a history of ADHD and 112 controls. They viewed videotaped stimuli of truthful and deceptive targets, and rated the perceived degree of deception. Their performance was assessed to determine utilization of numerous potential cues to deception. Differences in cue utilization were found between the ADHD and control groups, between participants in the ADHD group taking or not taking stimulant medications, and in an ADHD × Gender interaction. The results suggest that adults with ADHD focus on too many cues in social interactions, especially invalid ones; that adults with ADHD taking stimulant medications increase use of salient cues, but also of distracting cues; and that compared to controls, women with ADHD pay more attention to social cues, while men with ADHD pay less atten...