Culture, Cognition and ADHD: between Dysfunction and Functional Adaptation
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This article discusses the hypothesis that some current diagnoses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may include individuals whose neuropsychological functioning reflects adaptations to cognitive transformations driven by digital technologies. Based on a theoretical review grounded in historical-cultural psychology and activity theory, it examines the impact of digital culture on attention, memory, and executive functions. The article argues that behaviors commonly viewed as dysfunctional may, in fact, represent emergent forms of adaptive cognition, particularly within interactive, fast-paced, and multimodal environments. It advocates for the revision of diagnostic criteria and neuropsychological assessment practices to embrace neurocognitive diversity in the face of contemporary sociotechnological changes.
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