HD) found to account for ADHD more reliably than other factors. Currently ADHD is considered to have multiple causes and effects. Disagreement remains over the most effective method of treatment of ADHD. A drug, called Ritalin, is widely used, which decreases children’s over-activity and distractibility, and at the same time increases their attention and ability to concentrate.
However, it does not “cure” the problem, and often also results in such negative side-effects as the suppression in normal growth of height and weight. On the other hand, behavioural management programmes, featuring positive reinforcement and structuring learning materials and tasks in such a way that minimises errors and maximises immediate feedback and success, have been found quite useful. Successful modification of ADHD is claimed with cognitive behavioural training programme in which rewards for desired behaviours are combined with training in the use of verbal self- instructions (stop, think, and then do). With this procedure, the ADHD children learn to shift their attention less frequently and to behave reflectively — a learning that is relatively stable over time.
P ERCEPTUAL P ROCESSES In the previous section we have examined that the stimulation of sensory organs leads us to experience something such as, a flash of light or a sound, or a smell. This elementary experience, called sensation, does not provide us with any understanding of the stimulus that stimulated the sense organ. For example, it does not inform us about the source of the light, sound or fragrance. In order to make sense out of the raw material provided by the sensory system, we process it further.
In doing so, we give meaning to stimuli by using our learning, memory, motivation, emotions, and other psychological processes. The process by which we recognise, interpret or give meaning to the information provided by sense organs is called perception. In interpreting stimuli or events, individuals often construct them in their own ways. Thus perception is not merely an interpretation of objects or events of the external or internal world as they exist, instead it is also a construction of those objects and events from one’s