Hunter vs. farmer theory

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The hunter vs. farmer theory is a hypothesis proposed by Thom Hartmann about the origins of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adult attention-deficit disorder (AADD), that these conditions may be a result of a form of adaptive behavior. The premise is that ADD attributes in only some humans. Under this theory, the attributes of a hunter gave way to those of a farmer for most people as civilized society evolved from a nomadic existence to one of more permanent settlements. Over many years, most humans changed genetically, but some (those with ADD) still have the older hunter characteristics.

A key implication of the theory is that the proposed 'hyperfocus' aspect of ADD is a gift. It is argued that in the hunter-gatherer cultures that preceded farming societies, hunters (presumably mostly men) needed hyperfocus more than gatherers (presumably mostly women). This may be connected with the fact that ADHD is diagnosed in twice as many boys as girls.

[edit] Criticism

Some criticism of the Hunter vs. Farmer theory revolves around the mismatch between the behaviours associated with ADHD, and those described as being adaptive for hunters, which might fit the disorder hypomania^[1] As a theory of evolutionary psychology it is also open to the core criticisms of that discipline.

Hartmann, the originator of the theory, has stated that it is intended as a model rather than a hypothesis, providing people with ADHD a positive way of looking at themselves and their disorder. He has written, "It's not hard science, and was never intended to be," while acknowledging that some researchers are now using it as a working hypothesis about the origin of the disorder.^[2]

[edit] Conclusions

This hunter theory is an interpretation of the origins of ADHD. One common generalization is that ADHD is a co-occurrence of several genetic variants. Harpending and Cochran ^[3] offer a three-phase view of history that includes hunter-gathering, female farming, and then intensive agriculture; they suggest that ADHD increased reproductive fitness in the second phase. An important view, with considerable genetic backing, is that some of these genetic variants may have value in certain kinds of social groups, such as those that have migrated.^[4]^[5]

[edit] See also

Neurodiversity
Controversy about ADHD
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD)
adult attention-deficit disorder (AADD)
hyperfocus

[edit] Footnotes

^ Mota-Castillo, M. (2005). Review of The Edison Gene: ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child. Psychiatric Services, 56, 500.
^ Hartmann, Thom (1995). ADD Success Stories. Grass Valley, California: Underwood Books. ISBN 1-887424-04-0.
^ Harpending and Cochran. PNAS, Jan 8 2002
^ Chang et al 1996 Human Genetics 98
^ Grady et al 2003 Molecular Psychiatry 8