Thesis
A comparison of chronotype on indices of executive function and impulsivity
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4509
Abstract
Judgment, decision-making, and planning are higher-order components of executive function that regulate behavior. Deficits in these cognitive processes can result in behavior that is deleterious to one's health and well-being. Recent research has found that evening types exhibit personality, lifestyle, and behavioral characteristics that reflect poor judgment, planning, and decision-making compared to morning- and intermediate-types. This study investigated impulsivity, planning, and decision-making abilities between chronotypes. This study included a total of 84 healthy young adults comprised of 14 morning-type, 39 intermediate-type, and 31 evening-type students at Drexel University. Evening-types reported significantly higher attentional impulsivity, compared to morning- and intermediate-types. Chronotypes did not significantly differ in motor, nonplanning impulsivity, or performance on neurocognitive measures. Higher trait impulsivity may contribute to a higher frequency of addictive and illegal substances, greater lifestyle irregularity, impulsive eating behaviors, and more conduct problems in evening types. Future research should utilize neurocognitive measures that are more sensitive to attentional impulsivity to detect behavioral differences between the groups.
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Details
- Title
- A comparison of chronotype on indices of executive function and impulsivity
- Creators
- Jessica Zamzow - DU
- Contributors
- Jacqueline D. Kloss (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)Mary Spiers (Advisor) - Drexel University, Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 4509; 991014632412004721