The use of multiple approaches to studying impulse control is important because previous research and theory has conceptualized impulsivity as a multidimensional construct that requires multiple modes of measurement for accurate assessment (Barratt and Patton, 1983; Dougherty et al. 2003a, 2003g; Nigg, 2000). Using the operational definition of poor impulse control (Moeller et al. 2001; p. 1784) provides a broad conceptual framework from which multiple aspects of impulse control can be studied. There are three commonly used behavioral paradigms for assessing impulse control: continuous performance tests (CPT), stop tasks, and delay-discounting tasks (Dougherty et al. 2003a, 2003g). Impulsive responses yielded from each of these tasks are conceptualized as distinct processes in behavioral theories.
