Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
09:12
Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats
Published on: March 17, 2019
10.2K
Self-changing behaviour in smoking cessation linked to trait and cognitive impulsivity
Jaume Celma-Merola1, Francesc Abella-Pons1, Fernanda Mata2
1Hospital Santa Maria de Lleida, Lleida, Spain.
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
|July 16, 2017
Summary
Individuals who quit smoking without assistance show lower non-planning impulsivity and better cognitive inhibition than those seeking treatment or not seeking treatment. These findings highlight distinct impulsivity profiles in self-quitters versus treatment-engaged smokers.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Impulsivity is a key factor in smoking behavior and cessation.
- Understanding impulsivity differences across cessation strategies is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare impulsivity levels in individuals who self-quit smoking versus those seeking cessation treatment or not seeking treatment.
- To assess differences in non-planning, attentional, and motor impulsivity, as well as cognitive inhibition and choice impulsivity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, observational study involving 120 participants.
- Participants were categorized into four groups: self-quitters, non-treatment-seekers, treatment-seekers (abstinent), and treatment-seekers (non-abstinent).
- Impulsivity was measured using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and cognitive tasks (Stroop test, delay-discounting task).
Main Results:
- Self-quitters demonstrated significantly lower non-planning impulsivity compared to non-treatment-seekers.
- Self-quitters exhibited superior cognitive inhibition (Stroop performance) compared to both non-treatment-seekers and treatment-seeking abstinent individuals.
- No significant differences were found across all impulsivity measures for all groups.
Conclusions:
- Individuals who successfully quit smoking without formal treatment may possess inherent traits of lower non-planning impulsivity and enhanced cognitive control.
- These findings suggest that self-quitters may have different underlying psychological profiles compared to those who require or engage with cessation treatments.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Self-Regulation
290
Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
290
01:38Cognitive Dissonance
37.6K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
37.6K
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
44.9K
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about...
44.9K
01:30Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality
1.1K
Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...
1.1K
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
260
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be...
260
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
19.0K
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
19.0K