The International Society for Research on Impulsivity (ISRI) is a nonprofit scientific society founded to promote research collaboration on impulsivity and impulse control disorders by scientists around the world.

The purpose of this society is to foster international research collaboration on impulsivity and its psychiatric and social consequences. To join, please e-mail: secretary@impulsivity.org

What is Impulsivity?

Impulsivity has been variously defined as human behavior without adequate thought, the tendency to act with less forethought than do most individuals of equal ability and knowledge, or a predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli without regard to the negative consequences of these reactions.

Impulsivity is implicated in a number of psychiatric disorders including Mania, Personality Disorders, and Substance Use Disorders; yet, there is significant disagreement among researchers and clinicians regarding the exact definition of impulsivity and how it should be measured. 

Impulsivity is also a key construct in many social decisions. For example, in jurisprudence, forensic psychiatrists often testify in mens rea decisions. If an alleged criminal act like murder is shown to be impulsive, the penalty is different than if it is premeditated.

ISRI Goals

The goals of this society include: 1) establishment of guidelines for measurement of impulsivity which would make comparisons across research projects more meaningful, 2) examination of the current diagnostic criteria for disorders of impulse control based on results of biological, social, cognitive, and behavioral research, and 3) dissemination of clinical and pre-clinical impulsivity research to other researchers and clinicians through symposia, publication, and newsletters.