impulsive behavior
/ɪmˈpʌlsɪv bɪˈheɪvjər/ · im·pul·sive be·hav·i·or
noun
- Actions carried out without forethought, planning, or self‑control, often driven by a sudden urge. His impulsive behavior led him to buy an expensive car on a whim.
- A habitual pattern of acting on immediate desires rather than considering consequences. Therapists often work with clients to reduce impulsive behavior that interferes with daily life.
Synonyms
rashnessrecklessnessspontaneityhasty actionimpetuositycapriciousnessunpremeditated conductinstinctive act
Antonyms
Did you know? The phrase “impulsive behavior” entered mainstream psychology in the 1970s and appears in the DSM‑III as a characteristic symptom of several impulse‑control disorders.