Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / People / Behaviour /Difference Between Compulsive and Impulsive

Difference Between Compulsive and Impulsive

April 23, 2015Posted byAdmin

Compulsive vs Impulsive

Compulsive and impulsive, being two terms that describe two forms of behaviors, there is some difference between them. Being compulsive is when an individual has an irresistible urge to do something. Being impulsive is when an individual acts on his instinct. The key difference between these two forms of behavior is that while being compulsive includes thinking about the act of performing, in impulsive behavior, the individual simply acts without thought. Both concepts are dealt with in abnormal psychology in the context of psychologicaldisorders. Through this article let us examine the difference between compulsive and impulsive.

What does Compulsive mean?

Being compulsive is whenan individual having an irresistible urge to do something. When an individual is compulsive, he finds it difficult to refrain from engaging in a particular activity and enjoys repeating that action.Compulsive behaviorsare a reaction to relieve theanxietyone feels. In abnormal psychology, psychologists speak of compulsive behavioral patterns, which result in compulsive disorders. Obsessive compulsive disorder or elseOCDis one of the common compulsive disorders. In this disorder, the individual experiencesanxiety, even though, there is no real threat to the individual. It is to relieve this anxiety that the individual repeatedly engages in a particular behavior.

For example, an individual who suffers from OCD may wash his hands again and again. The individual is constantly bothered by this that he is preoccupied with wanting to wash his hands repeatedly. This makes the individual wash his hands. But even after washing, the need to wash does not completely subside. The relief is momentary. Then again, the individual feels the need to wash his hands. Themain characteristic of compulsive behavior or compulsive disorders is that they are premeditated. The individual thinks about the action for a long period. He decides when to engage in the acts and makes an effort to rationalize. Impulsive behavior is quite different to compulsive behavior.

Difference Between Compulsive and Impulsive

Washing hands again and again is being compulsive

What does Impulsive mean?

Being impulsive isacting on one’s instinct. In this case, the individual does not think through but acts anyway. For example, an individual has a sudden urge to harm another individual and acts on this without even thinking about the negative consequences that would follow his act. A key difference between impulsive behavior and compulsive behavior is that while compulsive behavior is premeditated,impulsive behavior is not premeditated.

In abnormal psychology, attention is paid to impulsive disorders as well. Impulsive behavior provides the individual with pleasure as it reduces the tension. Those who suffer from impulsive disorders do not think about the act but engages in it the moment it comes to them. According to psychologists, impulsive disorders are mostly linked to negative consequences such as illegal acts. Gambling, risky sexual behavior, drug use are some such examples. The inability to resist aggression, kleptomania, pyromania, trichotillomania (pulling one’s hair) are some impulsive disorders. This highlights that being compulsive and impulsive are two different behaviors.

Compulsive vs Impulsive

The inability to resist pulling one’s hair is impulsive behavior

What is the difference between Compulsive and Impulsive?

• Definitions of Compulsive and Impulsive:

• Being compulsive is when an individual has an irresistible urge to do something.

• Being impulsive is acting on one’s instinct.

• Pre-Meditation:

• When being compulsive the individual thinks through before acting.

• In impulsive behavior, the individual merely follows his instinct.

• Abnormal Psychology:

• Both are studied in abnormal psychology as compulsive and impulsive disorders.

• Rationalization:

• When being compulsive the individual rationalizes.

然而,冲动时,个人做的es not rationalize.

Images Courtesy:

  1. Washing handsbySerenity(CC BY-SA 3.0)
  2. Pulling one’s hairby金娜 Kim S(CC BY-SA 2.0)

Related posts:

Difference Between Love and Romance Difference Between Power and Influence- PowerDifference Between Influence and Power Difference Between Confidence and Overconfidence Difference Between Egoist and EgotistDifference Between Egoist and Egotist Sensitive vs SensibleDifference Between Sensitive and Sensible

Filed Under:BehaviourTagged With:compare Compulsive and Impulsive behavior,compulsive,compulsive and impulsive,Compulsive and Impulsive Behavior,Compulsive and Impulsive behavior difference,Compulsive and Impulsive Behaviour,Compulsive and Impulsive difference,Compulsive behavior,compulsive definition,compulsive meaning,compulsive means,impulsive,impulsive and compulsive,Impulsive Behavior,impulsive definition,impulsive meaning,impulsive means

About the Author:Admin

Coming from Engineering cum Human Resource Development background, has over 10 years experience in content developmet and management.

Leave a Reply取消回复

哟ur email address will not be published.Required fields are marked*

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

哟u May Like

Difference Between MCA and MSc IT

Difference Between Influenza A and B

Difference Between Suffix and Prefix

Difference Between Suffix and Prefix

兔子和兔子之间的区别

What is the Difference Between Bile Salts and Bile Pigments

What is the Difference Between Bile Salts and Bile Pigments

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Aquagenic Urticaria and Aquagenic Pruritus
  • What is the Difference Between Astringent and Toner
  • What is the Difference Between Esophagitis and Barrett’s Esophagus
  • What is the Difference Between Alcohol Ink and Resin Dye
  • What is the Difference Between Hyperparathyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
  • What is the Difference Between Pearlescent and Iridescent
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018Difference Between. All rights reserved.Terms of Useand Privacy Policy:Legal.