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09:12
Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats
Published on: March 17, 2019
"Impulsivity": relations between self-report and behavior.
Leigh Sharma1, Krista Kohl, Theresa A Morgan
1Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, USA. leigh-sharma@uiowa.edu
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|February 27, 2013
Summary
Impulsivity is not a single trait but comprises distinct impulsigenic traits. These traits differentially predict various impulsive behaviors, clarifying personality structures.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Personality Science
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Impulsivity lacks a clear definition and structure within personality frameworks.
- This ambiguity hinders research into impulsivity's behavioral links.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural organization of impulsigenic traits.
- To examine the relationships between these traits and various impulsive behaviors.
- To assess the predictive utility of personality traits for specific behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized self-report measures for trait impulsivity assessment.
- Employed retrospective and prospective behavioral questionnaires.
- Applied structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze trait structures.
- Collected data from multiple undergraduate samples (N=507, N=388).
Main Results:
- Confirmed a 3-factor structure for impulsigenic traits.
- Identified distinct 2-factor structures for daily and less frequent impulsive behaviors.
- Demonstrated differential relationships between impulsigenic traits and behavioral manifestations.
- Showcased the predictive power of personality traits for observed behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Supports the consensus that "impulsivity" is an umbrella term for distinct traits.
- Impulsigenic traits have unique predictive relationships with behavioral outcomes.
- Personality traits effectively predict discrete, in situ behaviors.
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