Impulsivity and decision making

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2005 Oct;193(10):647-50. doi: 10.1097/01.nmd.0000180777.41295.65.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to explore the links among the four facets of impulsivity (urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking) proposed by and decision-making processes. Thirty undergraduate students completed a self-report questionnaire evaluating impulsivity as well as a task measuring decision-making processes, the Iowa Gambling Task. Zero-order correlations and multilevel analysis revealed that only lack of premeditation was specifically linked to disadvantageous decisions on the Gambling Task. This suggests that premeditation is related to decision making influenced by somatic (or emotional) markers.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Choice Behavior
  • Decision Making*
  • Female
  • Gambling / psychology
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / diagnosis
  • Impulsive Behavior / psychology*
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • Thinking / physiology