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Laboratory Measures of Impulsivity: A Comparison of Women with or Without Childhood Aggression

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Abstract

This study compared laboratory models of impulsive behavior in 60 women ages 18–40. Three groups (n = 20, each) were recruited: (1) normal controls, (2) women on probation/parole without childhood aggression (Fight-), and (3) women on probation/parole with childhood aggression (Fight+). Two types of impulsivity paradigms were compared: response-disinhibition/attentional [Immediate/Delayed Memory Task (IMT/DMT)] and delayed-reward [Single Key Impulsivity Paradigm (SKIP)] models. The Fight+ group performed more impulsively, responding with more commission errors (IMT/DMT) and shorter delay choices (SKIP) compared to either the Fight- or Control groups. Compared to the SKIP, the IMT and DMT tasks had larger effect sizes and a more orderly pattern of impulsive performance differences between groups. Women classified on the basis of childhood behavior (initiating physical aggression) are behaviorally distinct on laboratory measures of impulsiveness in adulthood.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neurobehavioral Research Laboratory and Clinic, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1300 Moursund Street, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA

    Charles W. Mathias, Donald M. Dougherty, Dawn M. Marsh, F. Gerard Moeller, Lisa R. Hicks, Kevin Dasher & Lee Bar-Eli

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  1. Charles W. Mathias
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  2. Donald M. Dougherty
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  3. Dawn M. Marsh
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  4. F. Gerard Moeller
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  5. Lisa R. Hicks
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  6. Kevin Dasher
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  7. Lee Bar-Eli
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Mathias, C.W., Dougherty, D.M., Marsh, D.M. et al. Laboratory Measures of Impulsivity: A Comparison of Women with or Without Childhood Aggression. Psychol Rec 52, 289–303 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395431

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