ABSTRACT
Inhibitory control is a neuropsychological construct that explains a person's capacity to control harmful or inappropriate emotions, cognitions, or behaviour. Disorders of impulse control, whilst a major feature of neurobehavioural disability, are not confined to a class of disorders represented by traumatic brain injury (TBI). E. S. Barratt proposed a Three- Factor Model of impulsivity. The three dimensions include: motor impulsivity, which refers to acting without thinking; cognitive impulsivity, reflecting quick decision making; and non-planning impulsivity, which is largely a combination of the cognitive and motor components that represents a reactive form of behaviour. In the context of TBI impulsivity usually reflects an abnormality of those brain functions that mediate self-regulation, leading to impulsive behaviour that contributes to such diverse deficits as poor temper control and impulsive aggression, as well as poor emotional decision making and an amoral disposition which, in combination, have implications for mental capacity.
