ABSTRACT

This chapter addresses the hypoarousal hypothesis as a model of explaining the effects of central stimulants in improving hyperactive behavior. Arousal is a rather vaguely defined concept and is often used synonymously with other terms such as activation, awakeness, emotions, drive, and similar concepts as discussed by Eysenck (1970) in his book, “The biological basis of personality.” One could relate the concept to an “intensity dimension” of behavior as visualized by Duffy (1962) in a neurological context, it may represent the degree of cortical activation, which again may reflect the degree of activity in the central activating system which is also often known as the Reticular Activation System (RAS) (Moruzzi & Magoun, 1949). Netter (1975) has skillfully described and illustrated some of the important features of RAS, and basic features will be reviewed here.