title: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disordered boys' evaluations of and attributions for task performance on medication versus placebo.
abstract: The present study examined the effects of stimulant medication on the self-evaluations of and attributions for task performance of 26 attention-deficit hyperactivity disordered boys. Each boy performed a continuous performance task twice, once while on medication and once while on placebo. Immediately following the completion of the task, the boys were asked a series of questions concerning their self-evaluations of, and attributions for, their performance. Two findings of note were obtained. First, medication, compared with placebo, increased the correspondence between the boys' self-evaluations and their performance. Second, the boys did not use medication as a frequent explanation for their performance, as others have predicted. In fact, the boys picked medication as an explanation for their successes significantly less often than either effort or ability.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Milich
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Licht
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Pelham
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement / Q000187:drug effects*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012718:Set, Psychology
chemical_list: D008774:Methylphenidate