Stop Doing This With Your Child Immediately: The Sneaky Trap of Rewards

We've all been there—falling into the trap of offering rewards as an easy way to get our kids to do things. After all, what harm could it do, right? Well, let's talk about the Overjustification Effect, a psychological concept that sheds light on why this might not be the best approach.

It's guaranteed we have fallen into this trap, whether we are aware of it or not. So what is it exactly?

It's what happens when you enjoy an activity simply because you enjoy it, but then you start getting something more, or rewarded for doing what you were already doing.

Your genuine interest in the activity takes a hit. The extra reward push the joy to the backseat and now the rewards need to continue coming to get that same feeling of joy.

And so what happens when the rewards stop? Well... there goes the joy in the activity altogether.

Kids and Grown-Ups Are in This Together: Overjustification Effect doesn't play favourites. It's there for both kids and grown-ups. Imagine your kid loves drawing, and you start giving them stickers every time they doodle. At first, it sounds harmless, right? But over time, the stickers become the focus, and the simple pleasure of drawing starts fading away. Just as much as giving them lots of praise, stopping for ice cream, or special treatment for doing well at something.

The TV-Chips Combo: A Classic Example Now, let's dive into a real-life example we've all experienced. Picture this: you adore kicking back and watching your favourite TV shows. It's your ultimate chill-out mode. One day, you snack on some mouthwatering chips while catching up on your series. It's a match made in heaven! But here's where the Overjustification Effect sneaks in. Over time, your brain links TV time with chip munching. Now, it's hard to watch without those chips, and it's equally tough to munch chips without a show on. They've become a duo you can't separate. It's something I have had to stop in many households with children. Parents confuse their child's boredom and stimulation with needing to eat while watching TV with them still being hungry. But once you separate the two, they don't want to watch the TV and they don't want to eat. Just like us sitting at the table scrolling Facebook or Youtube while having our breakfast in the morning. We can't simply, 'enjoy,' our meals anymore.

How It Affects Behaviour So, what's the big deal with rewards? Well, overloading an activity with rewards can mess with our natural love for it. Imagine kids getting treats for cleaning their rooms. Over time, the focus shifts from room cleaning being a responsible thing to do, to just getting those treats. And when the treats stop, guess what happens? The room-cleaning enthusiasm takes a nosedive. This is imperative to remember for adults and children that struggle with motivation deficits such as ADHD and other conditions that affect executive functions.

It should serve as a reminder that we need that balance. We need to be careful not to unknowingly dim the sparkle of things we love. The secret? Embrace the joy of doing things for the sheer pleasure they bring. Whether it's kids colouring, grown-ups working, or simply enjoying your favourite TV show, let's keep the natural excitement alive. So, go on—dive into those activities you adore, and let the pure fun flow!

Famous historical figures with ADHD

Although attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a relatively recent diagnosis, it is impossible to diagnose people who lived before it was recognized as a medical condition. However, there are several historical figures who displayed symptoms that are consistent with ADHD. Here are a few famous people who may have had ADHD:

Leonardo Da Vinci:

Leonardo was known for his wide range of interests, spanning art, science, engineering, anatomy, and more. He displayed an insatiable curiosity and a tendency to explore various subjects simultaneously, which could be interpreted as a symptom of ADHD.

Leonardo had a habit of starting numerous projects but often struggled to finish them. This inconsistency and difficulty with follow-through are sometimes associated with ADHD, as individuals with the condition can find it challenging to sustain focus and maintain interest over extended periods.

His unconventional thinking and ability to make unique connections between different fields of study are often attributed to his remarkable creativity. Some argue that this unconventional thinking style could be linked to ADHD, as individuals with ADHD tend to exhibit non-linear thinking patterns.

Benjamin Franklin:

He excelled in various fields, including writing, science, politics, and entrepreneurship who played a significant role in the founding of the United States. Like individuals with ADHD, he was known for his energy, impulsivity, and tendency to pursue multiple projects simultaneously, all of which are common traits in people with ADHD.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a musical prodigy who composed his first piece at the age of five. Mozart was known for his high energy levels and restlessness, both in his personal life and musical compositions. He often engaged in frequent bursts of creative output and had a reputation for being constantly on the move.

Mozart was known to act on impulses and display a lack of attention to detail in certain aspects of his life. For example, he sometimes neglected administrative tasks, such as keeping track of his finances or maintaining stable employment.

It's important to note that these are only speculations and not actual diagnoses. It must be remembered that these observations are based on historical accounts and subjective interpretations. ADHD can only be accurately diagnosed through a comprehensive assessment conducted by a qualified healthcare professional, which is impossible to perform on historical figures. Therefore, it remains speculative and should be interpreted with caution and for the purpose of entertainment only.

TV Shows with realistic ADHD Characters

Brooklyn 99 - Jake Peralta Although never explicitly stated, Jake Peralta shows telling characteristics and traits that would warrant a diagnosis of ADHD. From his poor time management, missing simple errors and checks on his paperwork. With horrific management of finances and impulsive spending, the man has a bathtub full of unopened letters with bills and overdue notices. He is incredibly easily distracted, but he is still a high-functioning well-respected detective in the Police precinct.

Malcolm in the Middle - The boys Hal and his sons Francis, Reece, Malcolm and Dewey all show telling evidence for ADHD. Dewey could arguably also maybe fall into the autistic category as well in many situations. But not once in the entirety of the series is ADHD or ASD mentioned, and it showed greatly that although these boys fail a lot. They get into a lot of trouble. They are impulsive, emotionally dysregulated, the household is chaotic. It shows that they are good people, they care deeply about each other, they are incredibly intelligent and they all end up finding their place in the world.

Modern Family - Phil & Luke Dunphy Touched on briefly for an episode, but it's never brought up again. But the show passes some lesser-known symptoms and traits of those with ADHD. Their poor working memory, forgetting to put on shoes before leaving the house. Abandoning tasks and jumping from new interests and ventures often.

YuYu Hakusho - Yusuke Urameshi This anime came out long before ADHD had really become known widely, and wasn't often recognised for what it was. This makes the representation of Mother and son all that more interesting, as the Mother displays a side of ADHD a lot of people aren't familiar with seeing, and often misrepresented as other conditions. Although likely to be another condition, the constant chain smoking, coffee drinking hunting for that stimulant, and the paralysis to bed and watching TV screams the constant tiredness and lack of drive and motivation many ADHDers experience. And then there is her son, who follows a very textbook description of the condition.