Dysfunctional impulsivity

Dysfunctional impulsivity is a type of impulsivity that is associated with a tendency to make quick decisions when this type of decision-making is non-optimal. This differs from functional impulsivity which is a tendency to make quick decisions where this is optimal. As dysfunctional impulsivity is often associated with a failure to consider the consequences of one’s behavior, it can often lead to life difficulties.[1]

Dickman Impulsivity Inventory

The distinction between functional and dysfunctional impulsivity was suggested by Scott J. Dickman in an article published in 1990. Before this, impulsivity was considered a complex construct that was made up of several different aspects. The Dickman Inventory classifies impulsivity into functional and dysfunctional categories.[1]

Many of the previously used impulsivity scales have been significantly correlated to measures of dysfunctional impulsivity. These include the impulsiveness scale of Eysenck’s Impulsivity Inventory (part of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire) as well as the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale.[2] Many of the questions used in the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory mirror those used on past questionnaires, and are used to assess overall impulsivity. Of the 23 questions on the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory, 12 of the items are used to measure dysfunctional impulsivity. This includes questions such as “I often get into trouble because I don’t think before I act” as well as “I often say and do things without considering the consequences”[1] This scale has been adapted for use in children with similar results: clear distinctions between functional and dysfunctional impulsivity.[3] It has also been translated into several languages, yielding similar results

Dysfunctional impulsivity is associated with both disorderliness and a tendency to ignore hard facts before making a decision.[1] Individuals who are high in dysfunctional impulsivity are more likely to be punished for their behaviors.[4] Psychopathy,[5] aggression,[6] a tendency to participate in sexual behavior outside of an established relationship,[7] and a history of violent behavior[8] have all been significantly associated with dysfunctional impulsivity. Individuals high in dysfunctional impulsivity have been shown to have slight deficits in executive functioning.[9] Delay discounting has been shown to be related to both dysfunctional and functional impulsivity.[10]

Substance abuse

Impulsivity is significantly correlated with individuals being at a greater risk for substance abuse. Several studies have furthered this association to specifically relate dysfunctional impulsivity to this tendency.

Binge drinkers were found to have significantly higher scores of dysfunctional impulsivity compared to control groups. The same study found no difference in levels of functional impulsivity between groups, indicating that dysfunctional impulsivity was the version of impulsivity that led to substance abuse.[11] This relationship with dysfunctional impulsivity has also been found in regards to cigarette smoking. Higher levels of dysfunctional impulsivity have been related to difficulty restraining oneself from smoking in inappropriate places, smoking without being aware of doing so, and overall craving for cigarettes.[12] Dysfunctional impulsivity scores have also been found to be higher in heroin users[13] and addicts overall[14] when compared to non-drug abusing control groups.

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References
  1. Dickman, S. J. (1990). Functional and dysfunctional impulsivity: Personality and cognitive correlates. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(1), 95-102.
  2. Cosi, S., Morales-Vives, F., Canals, J., Lorenzo-Seva, U., & Vigil-Colet, A. (2008). Functional and dysfunctional impulsivity in childhood and adolescence. Psychological Reports, 103, 67-76.
  3. Brunas-Wagstaff, J., Tilley, A., Verity, M., Ford, S., & Thompson, D. (1997). Functional and dysfunctional impulsivity in children and their relationship to Eysenck’s impulsiveness and venturesomeness dimensions. Personality and Individual Differences, 22(1), 19-35.
  4. Smillie, L. D. & Jackson, C. J. (2006). Functional impulsivity and reinforcement sensitivity theory. Journal of Personality, 74(1), 1-37. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00369.x
  5. Jones, D. N. & Paulhus, D. L. (2011). The role of impulsivity in the Dark Triad of personality. Personality and Individual Differences, 51, 679-682.
  6. Vigil-Colet, A., Morales-Vives, F., & Tous, J. (2008). The relationships between functional and dysfunctional impulsivity and aggression across different samples. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 11(2), 480-487. PMID 18988433
  7. McAlister, A. R., Pachana, N., & Jackson, C. J. (2005). Predictors of young dating adults’ inclination to engage in extradyadic sexual activities: A multi-perspective study. British Journal of Psychology, 96, 331-350.
  8. Kumari, V., Barkataki, I., Goswami, S., Flora, S., Das, M., & Taylor, P. (2009). Dysfunctional, but not functional, impulsivity is associated with a history of seriously violent behavior and reduced orbitofrontal and hippocampal volumes in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 173, 39-44.
  9. Perez, E. J. P., Sanchez de Leon, J. M. R., Mota, G. R., Luque, M. L., & Garcia, C. P. (2012). Caracterización neuropsicológica de la impulsividad funcional y disfuncional en adictos a sustancias: implicaciones clínicas. [Neuropsychological characterization of functional and dysfunctional impulsivity in drug addicts: clinical implications.] [Abstract.] Adicciones, 24(1), 51-58.
  10. Mobini, S., Grant, A., Kass, A. E., & Yeomans, M. R. (2007). Relationships between functional and dysfunctional impulsivity, delay discounting, and cognitive distortions. Personality and Individual Differences, 43, 1517-1528.
  11. Adan, A. (2011). Impulsividad functional y disfuncional en jovenes con consume intensive de alcohol (binge drinking). [Functional and dysfunctional impulsivity in young binge drinkers.] [Abstract]. Addicciones, 24(1), 17-22.
  12. Pitts, S. R. & Leventhal A. M. (2012). Associations of functional and dysfunctional impulsivity to smoking characteristics. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 6(3), 226-232. doi.10.1097/ADM.0b013e31825e2a67
  13. Mokri, A., Ekhtiari, H., Edalati, H., Ganjgahi, H., & Naderi, P. (2008). Relationship between craving intensity and risky behaviors and impulsivity factors in different groups of opiate addicts [Abstract]. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, 14(3), 258-268.
  14. Perez, E. J. P. (2009). Evaluación de la impulsividad funcional y disfuncional en adictos a sustancias mediate el Inventario de Dickman. [Assessment of functional and dysfunctional impulsivity in substance-addicted patients by means of Dickman’s Inventory.] [Abstract.] Psicothema, 21(4), 585-591.
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