Cognitive stability and flexibility are a continuous trade-off. To exert stable task focus, humans need deeper attractor states and higher neural gain to shield distractors. For cognitive...Show moreCognitive stability and flexibility are a continuous trade-off. To exert stable task focus, humans need deeper attractor states and higher neural gain to shield distractors. For cognitive flexibility, shallower attractor states and lower gain are beneficial to switch tasks quicker. Individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) seem to have problems adjusting stability and flexibility. This study examined the influence of two contextual demands on a computational estimate of neural gain. First, we expected people to increase neural gain with a higher proportion of incongruent stimuli to facilitate focus on the task relevant stimulus dimension. Second, we hypothesised that participants decrease neural gain when presented a short versus long cue to stimulus interval (CSI) to allow faster switching. Generally, we expected individuals with higher levels of ADHD to have lower gain and more difficulties adjusting it. These hypotheses were tested separately with a cued task-switch paradigm online. First, the proportion of incongruent stimuli was manipulated (75% versus 25%). With a high proportion incongruency, participants lowered their incongruency cost and increased switch cost. However, they did not change gain. Second, the CSI length was varied (300ms versus 1000ms). With a short CSI, people lowered gain and made more errors on incongruent switch trials. We found partial support that individuals with self-reported ADHD have less optimal gain. We recommend that individuals work in environments matching their demands. If a task demands focus, one should not work in a flexibility demanding space. When focus and accuracy are required, sufficient time must be given.Show less