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Laboratory behavioral measures of impulsivity

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Abstract

Previous research and theory have conceptualized impulsivity as a multifaceted construct that requires multiple modes of measurement for accurate assessment. This article describes a software package that includes four paradigms for measuring multiple and unique aspects of impulsivity. Specifically, four tasks are described: (1) the two choice impulsivity paradigm, (2) the single key impulsivity paradigm, (3) the GoStop impulsivity paradigm, and (4) the time paradigm. These tasks measure processes related to the capacity to tolerate delay for reward, to inhibit an already initiated response, and to estimate the passage of time. These processes have been found to be important to the understanding of impulsive behaviors. The programs are flexible and allow the experimenter to manipulate a number of parameters related to delay-reward contingencies, timing, performance feedback/payment, and data output variables. Manipulation of these parameters makes the paradigms scalable to a wide range of ability levels and appropriate for samples ranging from children to adults. The four paradigms in this software package are available at no cost and can be obtained by contacting the corresponding author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Blvd., 27157, Winston-Salem, NC

    Donald M. Dougherty, Charles W. Mathias & Dawn M. Marsh

  2. University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas

    Ashley A. Jagar

Authors
  1. Donald M. Dougherty
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  2. Charles W. Mathias
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  3. Dawn M. Marsh
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  4. Ashley A. Jagar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Donald M. Dougherty.

Additional information

This research was sponsored by Grants R01-MH63908 and R01-MH65566 from the National Institutes of Health.

Note—This article was accepted by the previous editor, Jonathan Vaughan.

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Dougherty, D.M., Mathias, C.W., Marsh, D.M. et al. Laboratory behavioral measures of impulsivity. Behavior Research Methods 37, 82–90 (2005). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03206401

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