Using a clinically aggressive sample to examine the association between impulsivity, executive functioning, and verbal learning and memory

Impulsive behavior has been conceptualized from several vantage points including biological, sociological and psychological phenomenon. A comprehensive review of the empirical literature revealed that there is a paucity of research examining the association between working memory, executive functioning and impulsivity. A total sample of 170 aggressive outpatient participants was recruited for the study. Participants were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Principal components analysis of the 19 CVLT indices revealed five factors, accounting for 68% of the total variance. Results from the canonical correlation revealed one significant canonical variate with loadings from three CVLT factors (General Verbal Learning, Response Discrimination, and Proactive Interference), two executive functioning measures (Trail Making Test and Controlled Oral Word Association Test), and one impulsivity subscale (Attentional Impulsiveness). The findings of this study underscore the importance of memory functioning in determining impulsive aggressive behavior.