Abstract
Impulsivity is regarded as a multifaceted construct that comprises two dimensions: rapid-response impulsivity and reward-delay impulsivity. It is unclear, however, which aspects of trait impulsivity, as assessed by self-report measures are related to rapid-response impulsivity and/or to reward-delay impulsivity, as different results have been reported in studies using both self-report and cognitive measures. This study aimed to directly relate self-report measures of impulsivity to cognitive measures of impulsivity in individuals at low- or high-levels on two impulsivity dimensions, specifically rapid-response impulsivity and reward-delay impulsivity. Participants were classified into high- or low-impulsivity groups based on (1) level of rapid-response impulsivity (determined by BIS-11 Motor subscale scores); (2) level of reward-delay impulsivity (determined by BIS/BAS subscale scores); and (3) a combination of rapid-response impulsivity and reward-delay impulsivity levels. Impulsivity was assessed using Go/No-Go, Stop-Signal and Delay-Discounting tasks and self-report measures. The high rapid-response impulsivity group showed significantly higher reward-delay impulsivity on both, the Delay-Discounting tasks and on self-report measures assessing reward-delay impulsivity, than the low-risk group. Based on the level of reward-delay impulsivity, the high reward-delay impulsivity group scored significantly higher on task-based (cognitive) and self-report measures assessing rapid-response inhibition than the low reward-delay impulsivity group. Combining both dimensions of impulsivity showed that the high-impulsivity group performed significantly worse in rapid-response paradigms and temporally discounted significantly more impulsively than the low-impulsivity group. Thus, combined impulsivity factors provide better assessment of impulsivity than each dimension alone. In conclusion, robust differences in impulsivity can be identified in non-clinical young adults.
Highlights
Impulsivity, as a trait, is defined as “a predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli without regard to the negative consequences of these reactions to the impulsive individual or to others” (Moeller et al, 2001; p. 1784)
A combined group was added to investigate to what extent trait dimensions of rapid-response impulsivity and reward-delay impulsivity together would impact on and interact with cognitive tasks. These groups performed response inhibition and reward-delay experimental tasks to clarify the relationship between self-report measures and behavioral effects, and to assess how sensitive these measures are to differences between high- and low-impulsivity groups
Rapid-response impulsivity was assessed by computing the scores of the BIS-11 Motor subscale
Summary
Impulsivity, as a trait, is defined as “a predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli without regard to the negative consequences of these reactions to the impulsive individual or to others” (Moeller et al, 2001; p. 1784). Impulsive choice is described as diminished ability or willingness to tolerate delays (Hamilton et al, 2015) Both constructs link back to core theoretical definitions of impulsivity they tend to correlate only weakly or not at all (Lane et al, 2003; Reynolds et al, 2006; Broos et al, 2012). These dimensions of impulsivity can be assessed using cognitive tasks, in addition to self-report measures. It is not clear which aspects of trait impulsivity, as assessed by self-report measures, such as the BIS-11, are related to response inhibition and/or to reward-delay impulsivity, as different results have been reported in studies using both self-report measures and cognitive tasks (Dick et al, 2010)
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