Impulsivity Theory, Assessment, and Treatment

Impulsivity features prominently in contemporary descriptions of many psychiatric disorders, and is also a key element in the clinical risk assessment of violence. Thoroughly examining the nature, assessment, and treatment of impulsive conduct, this up-to-date volume brings together contributions from prominent researchers and clinicians in both mental health and correctional settings. Chapters illuminate our current understanding of impulsive behavior from conceptual, legal, and biological perspectives, and address the challenges of describing and measuring it. Special features include several invaluable 20-item checklists designed to aid in risk evaluation with mentally disordered persons, potentially suicidal correctional inmates, spousal assaulters, and sex offenders. Impulsivity provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the research and delineates a broad, clinically pertinent agenda for future study.

Christopher Webster, PhD, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. Formerly Head of Psychology and Head of the Impulsivity Programme at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in Toronto and Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Criminology at the University of Toronto, Dr. Webster has published extensively about assessing risk of violence.

Margaret Jackson, PhD, a psychologist by training, is Professor and Director of the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University. Formerly a Research Scientist at the Metropolitan Toronto Forensic Service (METFORS), Dr. Jackson has completed several studies on the way dangerousness is perceived by clinicians and members of the judiciary, and has written and edited several books on clinical criminology.