Impulsivity and Impairment in Cognitive Functions in Criminals

Abstract

Impulsivity is related with some of the abnormal behaviors like anti-social acts, violence and crime. It is suggested that impulsivity is associated with malfunctions in cognitive functions especially abnormality in frontal lobe of brain. Cognitive functions are a wide range of processes such as attention, attention switching, maintenance of concentration, control and interference-control, space and time integrity, regulation, working memory, logic thinking and problem solving. In risky behaviors like crime and law-breaking a risky decision and impulsivity are seen that formed by a combination of impairment in cognitive function. In this mini review, impulsivity as a personality trait is introduced and its relationship with decision making and cognitive functions is explained.