6/20/01    Creative Life Concepts Research   By Ray Reinbolt

This report evaluates the mean scores of the 19 personality traits of the Typical ADHD Population with those of the General Non-ADHD Population.  Definite patterns and differences have been found as illustrated by the Graphical Comparison Chart.

The mean scores of the typical ADHD respondents have an average confidence level of 98%.  The mean scores of the general NON-ADHD respondents have an average confidence level of about 94%.  We still need more non-ADHD volunteers to take the inventory.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

THE TYPICAL ADHD BEHAVIOR PATTERN.  In general, the Typical ADHD Behavior Pattern includes high ADHD characteristic scores, low self-esteem, difficulty with intimacy, lack of good planning and organizing skills, high holistic thinking preference, and high mood and obsession scores. 

There are two types of ADHD Behavior Patterns.  About 30% have Attention Deficit as the dominant ADHD trait while 60% have Distractibility as the dominant ADHD trait.  There are significant differences between the two.  A detailed report of this is being prepared.

COMPARING ADHD AND NON-ADHD SCORES.  The typical ADHD and general non-ADHD scores show consistent patterns.  The two patterns correlate positively except for four traits.  Compared to the non-ADHD scores, the ADHD scores are significantly higher for the negative score traits and significantly lower for the positive score traits.  The difference in the general and typical scores ranges from five to 31 points with the average at about 20 points. 

SOME QUESTIONS;  What causes the difference in the two patterns?  Is the ADHD pattern merely an intensified version of the non-ADHD?  Or is there a real difference caused by ADD?  If the two patterns tend to mirror each other, then it could be said that ADHD is basically the intensification of otherwise normal personality and behavior traits. 

But such a conclusion is not valid because not all traits are parallel.  First the confidence and planning traits do not correlate positively.  Secondly the holistic and linear thought preferences are negatively correlated.  That is, the ADHD holistic scores is are higher than the non-ADHD scores and the ADHD linear scores are lower than the non-ADHD scores.  This causes a brief reversal of the two patterns.  Therefore, the solution is more complex than a type of intensification.

The differences among the holistic and linear scores give insight into the way ADHD and non-ADHD persons think.  The thought preference of non-ADHD subjects is overwhelmingly Linear - less than 20% of the non-ADHD subjects have a holistic of thought preference. 

However, over 66% of ADHD subjects show a holistic thought preference.  There is anecdotal evidence suggesting that ADHD holistic preference may actually be closer to 85%.  The inventory responses may reflect that a number of ADDers purposely develop linear thought patterns is a way of coping with ADHD even though they still prefer holistic thinking.  This is similar to left handedness.  While many left-handers may learn to use their right hand for most activities, they can never change their left-handed dominance.

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