impulsivity

American  

[im-puhl-siv-i-tee] / ɪmˌpʌlˈsɪv ɪ ti /

Also impulsiveness

noun

1. the quality of being easily swayed by emotional or involuntary urges or by momentary desires, without weighing them rationally.

   Insufficient sleep may increase the potential for risk-taking by compromising decision-making and increasing impulsivity.

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Other Word Forms

• nonimpulsiveness noun
• nonimpulsivity noun

Etymology

Origin of impulsivity

impulsiv(e) ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

It is characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can interfere with daily life, including school, work, and relationships.

From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026

Dementia tends to be thought of mostly as a memory-loss disease, but there are many other aspects, including disorientation, difficulty balancing, poor coordination, trouble multitasking, confusion, wandering, apathy, irritability, impulsivity, poor judgment, and social inappropriateness.

From Slate • Jan. 26, 2026

The message pitched the company as one that “empowers parents to have children with the best predicted traits,” including IQ, impulsivity, height and risk of developing common diseases.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

If you decide to retire abroad, impulsivity works against you.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 31, 2025

There are many biological influences of psychological traits such as cognitive ability, conscientiousness, impulsivity, and risk aversion.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker