Hey Lunafaer, thanks for your interesting question!
It’s not just about being contrary — there’s some real psychology behind it.
For ADHD brains, it’s a lot about executive function.
This is the brain's ability to organize, plan and stay on task.
When you’re forced into something without a choice, it can short-circuit that system. ADHD brains often need a bit of control or interest to spark motivation as intrest, challenge and motivation and urgency. Read the NICER brain.
Without that choice, it’s like the brain says, “I’m out,” and disengages.
For Gen Xers, it's more cultural. They grew up in a time where questioning authority and doing things their own way was the norm. They were raised to be independent, skeptical of rules, and to DIY everything. So, when they're told what to do without a say, it hits that cultural nerve of wanting freedom and resisting control.
Hope that clears things up a bit!
Here's a resource from a ted talk from Daniel Pink on Motivation.
as always, this is so insightful and informative. thank you.
i understand the causes of most of what you describe based on information you’ve shared or previous research.
there’s one you mention that i always attributed to either an innate contrariness or just part of the genx ethos:
“being forced into tasks without choice makes us resist.”
could i ask you cover this in a bit more detail or suggest a resource? when a required task is logical i can accept not having a choice to some extent. when the logic breaks down, though, my reaction is visceral and loud.
Hey Lunafaer, thanks for your interesting question!
It’s not just about being contrary — there’s some real psychology behind it.
For ADHD brains, it’s a lot about executive function.
This is the brain's ability to organize, plan and stay on task.
When you’re forced into something without a choice, it can short-circuit that system. ADHD brains often need a bit of control or interest to spark motivation as intrest, challenge and motivation and urgency. Read the NICER brain.
https://adhdwisdomtools.substack.com/p/copy-unlock-your-nicer-brain-thrive
Without that choice, it’s like the brain says, “I’m out,” and disengages.
For Gen Xers, it's more cultural. They grew up in a time where questioning authority and doing things their own way was the norm. They were raised to be independent, skeptical of rules, and to DIY everything. So, when they're told what to do without a say, it hits that cultural nerve of wanting freedom and resisting control.
Hope that clears things up a bit!
Here's a resource from a ted talk from Daniel Pink on Motivation.
https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_the_puzzle_of_motivation?language=en
Hope it helps,
Rgds,
Lud
as always, this is so insightful and informative. thank you.
i understand the causes of most of what you describe based on information you’ve shared or previous research.
there’s one you mention that i always attributed to either an innate contrariness or just part of the genx ethos:
“being forced into tasks without choice makes us resist.”
could i ask you cover this in a bit more detail or suggest a resource? when a required task is logical i can accept not having a choice to some extent. when the logic breaks down, though, my reaction is visceral and loud.
I use all of the above lol