Abstract

In this study we assess the ability to inhibit certain planned actions in relation to the impulsiveness and venturesomeness traits of personality using the stop-signal paradigm. In the first condition subjects performed the stop-signal task without incentives. In the second condition, subjects performed the same task using an approach-avoidance conflict situation: speed of response was rewarded and the lack of inhibition was punished. Twenty male subjects were selected after preliminary testing using the impulsivity subscale from the Eysenck Personality Inventory. The main findings were: (1) no deficit in motor inhibition was found for high-impulsive subjects; estimated mean reaction times of inhibitory processes were the same for both high- and low-impulsive groups and (2) the presence of an incentive in the conflict situation affected motor inhibition for low venturesomeness subjects, who adopted a more cautiousness response strategy.