Abstract

VILLAREJO RAMOS, A.. The biopsychological bases of criminal responsibility in impulsive behaviour. Cuad. med. forense [online]. 2012, vol.18, n.2, pp.63-70. ISSN 1988-611X.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1135-76062012000200003.

A review of the available literature on impulsivity reveals different conceptions of this behaviour in which various dimensions may play a role. Impulsivity may be defined as a response to emotionally charged stimuli with a prevalence of kinetic factors in an absence of deliberation. Examples can also be found in which cognitive factors of deliberation and a temperamental-emotional nature intervene in impulsive behaviour such as the "sensations seeking " described by Zuckerman. Given the presence of these different factors in impulsivity, we have classified the behaviours into immediate impulsive behaviour and deferred impulsive behaviour. The former are characteristic of intermittent explosive disorders and borderline and anti-social personality disorders. The latter appear, for example, in pathological gambling and pyromania and may characterise certain anti-social behaviours. The different dimensions of impulsive behaviour may have an influence over the bio-psychological bases of criminal responsibility in individuals with immediate impulsivity and in those with deferred impulsive behaviour.

Keywords : Impulsivity; Impulsive behaviour; Impulse control disorder.

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