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impulsivity

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·June 2, 2025·3 min read

Night Owls More Impulsive Than Morning Larks

A new study reveals that adolescents who identify as “night owls” tend to be more impulsive than their early-rising peers. These teens reported higher negative urgency and lower perseverance, meaning they were more likely to act rashly under stress and abandon difficult tasks.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·April 29, 2025·5 min read

Brain Lesions Heighten Impulsivity and Social Influence

New research shows that damage to specific regions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) increases both impulsivity and susceptibility to the impulsive behavior of others. Participants with mPFC lesions were more likely to choose immediate rewards and to be influenced by others who made impulsive decisions.

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Featured Neuroscience

·March 4, 2025·6 min read

Future Thinking Training Reduces Impulsivity

A new study finds that training people to think about specific future events can reduce impulsivity and improve decision-making. Researchers used fMRI scans to show that practicing episodic future thinking increased connectivity in key brain regions, making participants less likely to choose immediate rewards over long-term benefits.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 9, 2025·4 min read

High-Fat Diets in Adolescence Linked to Adult Impulsivity

Adolescent rats fed a high-fat diet displayed increased impulsivity and altered decision-making as adults. These "cheesecake rats" were quicker to act on visual cues (indicative of impulsivity) but showed more conservative choices in gambling tasks, opting for smaller, safer rewards.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 25, 2024·5 min read

Stress Fuels Impulsive Behavior in Response to Boredom

Research shows a strong link between impulsivity, boredom, and stress, with highly impulsive individuals reacting more to boredom by releasing more of the stress hormone cortisol. This physiological response explains why impulsive people are more prone to making rash decisions when bored.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 4, 2024·4 min read

Study Validates Impulsivity as a Stable, Measurable Personality Trait

A new study confirms impulsivity as a stable and measurable personality trait. Using data from 1,676 participants, researchers identified a general impulsivity factor, I, which effectively predicts impulsive behaviors. They developed the Adjustable Impulsivity Scale (AIMS) for precise measurement. Findings enhance understanding and measurement of impulsivity.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 28, 2024·5 min read

Impulsivity Influences Choices Between Food and Money

Impulsivity affects decision-making between primary rewards like food and secondary rewards like money. The team found that individuals are more likely to choose immediate food rewards over delayed ones, while they prefer to wait for a larger sum of money.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 4, 2024·5 min read

Substance Abuse Beyond Dopamine and Impulsivity

Researchers shed new light on why some individuals are more vulnerable to substance abuse than others, focusing on the relationship between impulsivity, dopamine production, and cocaine use. Through a study on rats, they discovered that impulsivity predicts cocaine consumption not through dopamine production capacity but possibly through the control of its release.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 29, 2023·5 min read

Good Sleep Habits Can Buffer Kids From Stress-Linked Impulsivity

A study reveals that adequate sleep can help children combat impulsive behaviors often induced by stressful environments. Researchers analyzed data from over 11,000 children aged 9-10, finding that those who had less than nine hours of sleep or took over 30 minutes to fall asleep exhibited more impulsive behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 3, 2023·5 min read

Adolescence’s Impact on Adult Dopamine Function and Impulsivity

In a novel study, researchers reveal a sensitive developmental phase during adolescence that significantly influences adult impulsivity, aggression, and dopamine function in mice. This study highlights the implications of stimulant drug exposure during this period.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 16, 2023·4 min read

Study Questions Whether Toddlers Choose to Help Dogs Impulsively

Toddlers are twice as likely to help a dog reach a toy, even when the animal showed no interest in the object. The findings suggest toddlers' prosocial and goal-reading abilities extend beyond other humans and to animals.