Functional impulsivity

Functional impulsivity is a tendency to make quick decisions when it is optimal and beneficial. This impulsivity is in contrast with dysfunctional impulsivity, which is a tendency to make quick decisions when it is not optimal. Although both types can be associated with inaccurate results, functional impulsivity is often considered a point of pride because it can help individuals take full advantage of opportunities.[1]

Dickman Impulsivity Inventory

Functional impulsivity was first distinguished from dysfunctional impulsivity in a study performed by Scott J. Dickman in 1990. Although impulsivity has always been understood to have many different facets, Dickman showed two varieties that were significantly unrelated to one another. Before this research, impulsivity had commonly been considered a negative trait that could lead to problems in life. This research demonstrated that a specific type of impulsivity could be optimal and considered a positive trait.[1]

The Dickman Impulsivity Inventory was developed to distinguish between trait functional and dysfunctional impulsivity. This inventory contains 63 items, 17 of which pertain specifically to functional impulsivity. This includes answer seeking propositions such as "I like to take part in really fast paced conversations, where you don't have much time to think before you speak" and "I am good at taking advantage of unexpected opportunities, where you have to do something immediately or lose your chance".[1]

Before the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory, many of the measures of impulsivity related specifically to dysfunctional impulsivity. For instance, the only measure on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire that was directly related to functional impulsivity measured venturesomeness.[2] The Dickman Impulsivity Inventory has been translated into many languages and a children's version has been developed.[3] Each scale has found a significant difference between functional and dysfunctional impulsivity.

Functional impulsivity is related to enthusiasm, adventurousness, activity,[1] extraversion,[4] and narcissism.[5] This is likely because individuals with high functional impulsivity are shown to have enhanced executive functioning overall.[6] Also, high levels of this trait have been associated with higher professional success in NFL players, who also exhibit a smaller probability of experiencing negative consequences.[7]

Although high trait impulsivity has long been associated with substance abuse, several studies have found that relates only to dysfunctional impulsivity and not to functional impulsivity. Functional impulsivity has been shown to have no effect on binge drinking.[8] In fact, it has actually been shown that individuals who are low in functional impulsivity will have more intense cravings for cigarettes[9] as well as for heroin and opiates.[10]

References
  1. Dickman, S. J. (1990). "Functional and dysfunctional impulsivity: Personality and cognitive correlates". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 58 (1): 95–102. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.58.1.95. PMID 2308076.
  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 (1): 67–76. doi:10.2466/pr0.103.1.67-76. PMID 18982938.
  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. doi:10.1016/S0191-8869(96)00173-0.
  4. Smillie, L. D. & Jackson, C. J. (2006). "Functional impulsivity and reinforcement sensitivity theory". Journal of Personality. 74 (1): 1–37. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.486.11. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00369.x. PMID 16451226.
  5. Jones, D. N. & Paulhus, D. L. (2011). "The role of impulsivity in the Dark Triad of personality" (PDF). Personality and Individual Differences. 51 (5): 679–682. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2011.04.011.
  6. 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]. Adicciones (Abstract) (in Spanish). 24 (1): 51–58. doi:10.20882/adicciones.117.
  7. Hickman, S. A. (2004). Impulsivity as a predictor of athletic success and negative consequences in NFL football players (Doctoral Dissertation). Retrieved from PsychINFO. (298201).
  8. Adan, A. (2011). "Impulsividad functional y disfuncional en jovenes con consume intensive de alcohol (binge drinking)" [Functional and dysfunctional impulsivity in young binge drinkers]. Adicciones (Abstract) (in Spanish). 24 (1): 17–22. doi:10.20882/adicciones.113.
  9. 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. PMC 3517192. PMID 22864400.
  10. 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". Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology (Abstract). 14 (3): 258–268.
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