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Reward Discounting Simulator

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Description

Chapter 2 calls the ADHD reward system an economist with a broken discount rate: rewards lose motivational value unusually fast as they move away in time. This simulator draws both discount curves — typical (gray, gentle) and ADHD-steep (orange, collapsing) — from the same reward, with a red motivation threshold line below which tasks simply don't start. Drag the reward marker along the delay axis and the readout shows what each brain feels the reward is worth, and whether it starts or stalls.

The four intervention chips are the chapter's strategy logic made physical: Today-sized piece and Deadline tomorrow move the payoff near now; Body double and Make it a game lift the whole curve by paying in currencies this system accepts. Every chip explains its mechanism when applied. The preset scenarios (the three-week assignment, the gym habit, the registration renewal) each start below threshold — your job is to rescue them.

Lesson Plan

  1. Observe (2 min): Load "Assignment due in 3 weeks." Read both felt values. Note which brain's value sits below threshold.
  2. Predict (2 min): Before clicking any chip, predict which single intervention rescues it. Test.
  3. Compare (4 min): Rescue each preset scenario with the fewest chips. Discuss why different tasks need different currencies.
  4. Transfer (3 min): Each learner names one stalled real task and the chip they'll apply this week.

References