title: Experimental effect of positive urgency on negative outcomes from risk taking and on increased alcohol consumption.
abstract: The current pair of experimental studies sought to further validate the role of positive urgency (acting rashly when in an extreme positive emotional state) as a risk factor for impulsive and maladaptive behavior. Previous research has supported the use of emotion-based dispositions to rash action in predicting a wide range of maladaptive acts. However, that research was conducted in the field and relied on self-reported behavior, thus lacking tight experimental controls and direct observation of risky behaviors. In the 2 experimental studies described here, we found that among college students (1) positive urgency significantly predicted negative outcomes on a risk-taking task following a positive mood manipulation (n = 94), and (2) positive urgency significantly predicted increases in beer consumption following positive mood induction (n = 33). Positive urgency's role was above and beyond previously identified risk factors; these findings, combined with prior cross-sectional and longitudinal field studies, provide support for the role of positive urgency in rash action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. melissa.cyders@gmail.com
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cyders
authors.forename: Tamika C B
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Zapolski
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Combs
authors.forename: Regan Fried
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Settles
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Fillmore
authors.forename: Gregory T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012931:Social Environment; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires