Neurocognitive and psychophysiological correlates of impulsivity
Item
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Title
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Neurocognitive and psychophysiological correlates of impulsivity
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Identifier
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d_2009_2013:4ac03abd7531:11378
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identifier
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11738
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Creator
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Powers, Robyn Leventhal,
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Contributor
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Carolyn Pytte | Janine D. Flory
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Date
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2012
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Clinical psychology | Cognitive psychology | Physiological psychology | disinhibition | impulsivity | psychophysiology | reactivity | sensation seeking
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Abstract
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The construct of impulsivity is multidimensional as evidenced in symptoms occurring across a range of psychiatric and personality disorders. Previous studies have elucidated multiple latent factors that represent impulsive personality traits. We believe there are two divergent personality traits that give way to impulsive tendencies. The first, disinhibition, has been theorized as stemming from a weak behavioral inhibition system (BIS). Both the trait and the system have been associated with fearlessness, lack of anxiety, and a weaker inhibition. The second, sensation seeking, has been theorized to be associated with the behavioral approach system (BAS) and is correlated with goal-directed behavior, novelty seeking, and excessive reward sensitivity. Recent studies found that various behaviors and forms of psychopathology were differentiated by distinct aspects of impulsive personality, as well as impaired neurocognitive abilities. Additionally, psychophysiological measures, such as heart rate and blood pressure reactivity, have been associated with externalizing disorders associated with impulsivity. Therefore, the goal of the study was to explore the associations of sensation seeking and disinhibition with neurocognitive and psychophysiological functioning among young adults. Results indicated no significant relationships among impulsive personality traits and neurocognitive function. Significant associations were observed among disinhibition and increased resting diabolic blood pressure as well as disinhibition and decreased cardiovascular reactivity. No relationships were observed between sensation seeking and any cardiovascular measures. Impulsive aggression was related to a decrease in cardiovascular reactivity. Although these findings suggest that disinhibition and sensation seeking are not related to cognition, additional studies are necessary to confirm this lack of relationship. The literature on the psychophysiology of externalizing disorders associated with impulsivity is conflicting. Our results are not conclusive and further research is warranted to obtain a greater understanding of the association between the trait disinhibition and autonomic function.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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2009_2013.csv
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
