Online measurement of motivational processes: introducing the Continuous Delay Aversion Test (ConDAT).
The Continuous Delay Aversion Test (ConDAT), a new computer task for online monitoring and continuously measuring delay aversion (DA), is introduced. DA is a motivational style related to a shortened delay gradient which is proposed as a major endophenotype of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is characterised by avoiding or escaping from delay-rich situations despite the prospects of a reward. In each ConDAT trial the rapidly diminishing reward/delay ratio, which tends asymptotically towards zero, is visually presented on the computer screen. The test subject is permanently confronted with the question whether to quit or to continue the trial in the face of the deteriorating reward/time ratio. An elaborated control of stimuli and responses, including the sending of trigger codes to external recording devices, makes the task useful for neurophysiological or brain imaging experiments. Compared to existing tasks, the ConDAT is more flexible and sensitive due to its asymptotic open-ended trials and the interval-scaled output measure. Pilot data give evidence for satisfactory reliability and external validity of the task.
Müller
Ueli C
UC
Department of Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zürich, Neumünsterallee 9, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland. umueller@kjpd.unizh.ch
Sonuga-Barke
Edmund J S
EJ
Brandeis
Daniel
D
Steinhausen
Hans-Christoph
HC
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009862:Online Systems; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012201:Reward; D013997:Time Factors