Restless, easily distracted: people with ADHD can be at a disadvantage in today’s society. But in the time of hunter-gatherers they were indispensable within a tribe. This is the conclusion of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania (US).
Digital collector
450 subjects with and without ADHD played a computer game in which they had to collect as many berries as possible within a certain time. Picking from the same bush over and over again ensured that it would slowly become exhausted. But looking for a fresh berry bush resulted in a time penalty.
ADHDer got the group moving
People with ADHD appeared to be more likely to seek out a new bush, while people without the diagnosis stuck around longer. According to the researchers, this indicates that prehistoric crowds kept the group moving.
That way they weren’t dependent on one type of food for too long. This greatly improved health. So you see: having an ADHDer in your tribe will get you somewhere.
Have you ever noticed that the diagnosis of ADHD is not rare these days? Is that a coincidence? Or is it logical? Why do more and more people have ADHD?
Tags: Prehistoric ADHDer indispensable tribe
