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. Hartmann notes that most or all humans were nomadic hunter gatherers for many thousands of years, but that this standard gradually changed as agriculture developed in most societies, and more people worldwide became farmers. Over many years, most humans adapted to farming cultures, but people with ADD retained some of the older hunter characteristics. A key implication of the theory is that the proposed "hyperfocus" aspect of ADD is a gift or benefit. 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). Hartmann speculates that this gender difference is reflected in the fact that ADHD is diagnosed in twice as many boys as girls.Hartmann developed the hunter vs. farmer hypothesis as a way to see ADD/ADHD as a set of behaviors, tendencies and skills with benefits and disadvantage, rather than simply as a defect or disorder.

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 more accurately fit hypomania than ADD/ADHD.Mota-Castillo, M. (2005). Review of The Edison Gene: ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child. Psychiatric Services, 56, 500. 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 the hunter vs. farmer idea was intended as a mental model rather than a scientific hypothesis, stating, "It's not hard science, and was never intended to be," while acknowledging that some researchers are now using the hunter vs. farmer idea as a working hypothesis about the origin of ADD/ADHD.

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 offer a three-phase view of history that includes hunter-gathering, female farming, and then intensive agriculture; they suggest the hypothesis that ADHD increased reproductive fitness in the second phase.Harpending and Cochran. PNAS, Jan 8 2002 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.Chang et al 1996 Human Genetics 98Grady et al 2003 Molecular Psychiatry 8 Genetic variants conferring susceptibility to ADD are very frequent - implying that the trait had provided selective advantage in the past. Arcos-Burgos and Acosta "Tuning major gene variants conditioning human behavior: the anachronism of ADHD"

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