title: Impulsivity, intelligence, and discriminating reinforcement contingencies in a fixed-ratio 3 schedule.
abstract: Research conducted in academic contexts suggests a moderating effect of impulsive behavior on the relationship between aptitude and achievement. According to these studies, intelligence scores being equal, higher levels of impulsivity have an adverse effect on achievement (Helmers, Young, & Pihl, 1995; Vigil-Colet & Morales-Vives, 2005; Zeidner, 1995). The present study aims to contrast the aforementioned moderator effect in the context of a discriminant learning task, carried out under a fixed-ratio 3 reinforcement schedule. To that end, an impulsive behavioral pattern was identified in a sample of 1,600 participants' task execution based on response rate and latency. Said pattern was consistent and stable across several trials and can be ascribed to subjects' interactive style (Hernández, 2000). The observed interaction effect supports the hypothesis that impulsivity has a moderating effect on the aptitude-achievement relationship, highlighting how it impacts achievement differentially depending on the subject's level of aptitude.
authors.affiliation: Dpto. de Psicología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Camilo José Cela, C/ Castillo de Alarcón, 49. Urb. Villafranca del Castillo, 28692 Madrid, Spain. jhlozano@ucjc.edu
authors.forename: José Héctor
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lozano Bleda
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pérez Nieto
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000328:Adult; D001076:Aptitude / Q000502:physiology; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D007206:Individuality; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult