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A behavioral economic theory of cue-induced attention- and task-switching with implications for neurodiversity

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  • Landry, Peter

Abstract

I present a stylized, analytical model of cue-induced attention- and task-switching — with a proposed neurobiological interpretation of the model’s features — to organize available empirical evidence on two widely-studied neurodevelopmental conditions: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Specifically, I use this framework to show how a systematic tendency to underestimate the opportunity costs of attention- and task-switching can give rise to several empirically-observed behavioral patterns in ADHD, and that the opposite tendency can give rise to empirically-observed behavioral patterns in ASD. While drawing on various economic concepts to formally express its predictions, the model offers new and inter-related conceptualizations of ADHD and ASD — as viewed through a behavioral microeconomic lens — that may be useful for understanding some subtypes and symptoms.

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  • Landry, Peter, 2021. "A behavioral economic theory of cue-induced attention- and task-switching with implications for neurodiversity," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:86:y:2021:i:c:s0167487021000568
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2021.102423
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Brocas, Isabelle & Carrillo, Juan D., 2021. "Value computation and modulation: A neuroeconomic theory of self-control as constrained optimization," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    2. George Loewenstein & Zachary Wojtowicz, 2023. "The Economics of Attention," CESifo Working Paper Series 10712, CESifo.
    3. Rogge, Nicky, 2021. "When the cost has sunk: Measuring and comparing the sunk-cost bias in autistic and neurotypical persons," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).

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