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Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats
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Published on: March 17, 2019

Sex differences in impulsivity: a meta-analysis.

Catharine P Cross1, Lee T Copping, Anne Campbell

  • 1Department of Psychology, Durham University, Queens Campus, University Boulevard, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6BH, United Kingdom. c.p.cross@durham.ac.uk

Psychological Bulletin
|January 12, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Men exhibit greater sensation seeking and lower punishment sensitivity, contributing to risky behaviors. These sex differences in impulsivity are primarily motivational, not related to effortful control, supporting evolutionary theories of risk-taking.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Behavioral Science
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Men are disproportionately represented in socially problematic behaviors like aggression and criminal activity.
  • Impulsivity is a key factor linked to these behaviors.
  • Existing theories propose impulsivity involves reward hypersensitivity, punishment hyposensitivity, and inadequate effortful control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sex differences in impulsivity across its theoretical components.
  • To determine if men exhibit greater reward sensitivity, lower punishment sensitivity, and reduced effortful control.
  • To explore the role of evolutionary, criminological, developmental, and personality theories in explaining these differences.

Main Methods:

  • A meta-analysis of 741 effect sizes from 277 studies was conducted.
  • Both psychometric (questionnaire) and behavioral measures of impulsivity were analyzed.
  • Specific components examined included sensation seeking, reward sensitivity, punishment sensitivity, and effortful control.

Main Results:

  • Women were consistently more punishment sensitive (d = -0.33).
  • Men showed significantly higher sensation seeking (questionnaire: d = 0.41; behavioral: d = 0.36).
  • No significant sex differences were found for reward sensitivity or executive functions like delay discounting.

Conclusions:

  • Sex differences in impulsivity are more pronounced in motivational aspects (sensation seeking, punishment sensitivity) than in effortful or executive control.
  • Findings support evolutionary and biological theories linking sex differences in punishment sensitivity to risk-taking behavior.
  • Distinguishing between sensation seeking, executive control, and impulsivity as a trait versus a deficit is crucial for understanding sex differences.