Impulsivity and Deviance

Abstract

The chapter discusses the relations between various forms of deviant behavior (i.e., antisocial behavior, substance (mis)use, and risky sex) and impulsivity/disinhibition within the personality trait perspective. Although many theories and much empirical research support the importance of impulsivity/disinhibition in deviant behavior, a lack of conceptual and operational clarity introduces confusion. The chapter offers an organizing framework, the UPPS-P, that posits the presence of five distinct personality pathways to impulsive behavior: Negative Urgency (NU) which reflects the tendency to act rashly under conditions of negative affect (e.g., anger, distress); lack of perseverance (PSV) which reflects the inability to remain focused on a task in the face of boredom and/or distraction; lack of premeditation (PMD) which reflects the tendency to act without thinking; Sensation Seeking (SS) which reflects the tendency to enjoy and pursue activities that are exciting or novel; and Positive Urgency (PU) which reflects the tendency to act rashly under conditions of positive affect. The chapter presents information on the derivation of this model and research supporting its validity, including cross-age, cross-sex, and cross-cultural support for the structure of the UPPS-P and differential relations to different forms of deviant behavior and different types of psychopathology. It is concluded that the UPPS-P offers a useful tool in organizing extant research on impulsivity/disinhibition and in directing future research efforts. The chapter closes with a discussion of important future directions.