15 Impulse Control Interview Questions and Answers

Impulse control is the ability to resist the urge to do something that may be harmful or risky. It’s a critical skill for people who work in high-pressure jobs, such as law enforcement, healthcare, and emergency response.

If you’re applying for a job that requires impulse control, you can expect to be asked interview questions about how you handle stress, what kind of decisions you make under pressure, and how you deal with difficult situations. Answering these questions honestly and thoughtfully will give the interviewer a good sense of whether you have the skills necessary for the job.

1. What is impulse control?

Impulse control is a skill that helps you make good decisions. Employers ask this question to see if you understand what impulse control is and how it can help you succeed in their organization. In your answer, explain what impulse control is and give an example of when you used this skill in the past.

Example: “Impulse control is the ability to resist doing something immediately without thinking about the consequences. I have had to use my impulse control skills many times throughout my career. For example, one time at work, I was so excited to tell my manager about a new idea I had for our company’s marketing campaign. However, she was busy with another task, so I waited until later to share my idea with her.”

2. What are the main functions of the prefrontal cortex? What happens when it’s not functioning properly?

The prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain that controls impulse control. This question allows you to show your knowledge about this important area and how it affects your work.

Example: “The prefrontal cortex is responsible for many functions, including attention span, decision-making, problem solving, memory, language and social behavior. When it’s not functioning properly, these skills can be impaired. For example, if someone has poor impulse control, they may have trouble paying attention or making decisions.”

3. How do you think impulsivity can be regulated by the brain?

Impulsivity is a common behavioral issue that can be addressed by the brain. This question allows you to explain your understanding of how impulsivity works and how it can be managed. You can answer this question by describing what you know about impulsivity and how it relates to the brain.

Example: “Impulsivity is regulated by the prefrontal cortex, which controls our ability to make decisions. When we are impulsive, the prefrontal cortex has difficulty controlling impulses from other parts of the brain. I think impulse control can be improved by strengthening the prefrontal cortex so it can better regulate impulses.”

4. Can you explain what a dopamine rush is and how it impacts our actions?

Impulse control is a skill that helps you make the right decisions in any situation. A dopamine rush is a surge of pleasure-inducing chemicals in your brain, which can lead to impulsive actions. Your answer should show the interviewer that you understand how this chemical reaction impacts your behavior and are able to use it to your advantage.

Example: “A dopamine rush occurs when I achieve something or get a reward for my efforts. It’s an important part of impulse control because it tells me whether what I’m doing is worth it. For example, if I’m working on a project and don’t receive any rewards, then I know I need to change my approach. If I do receive a reward, then I know I’m on the right track.”

5. What are some symptoms of poor impulse control?

Impulse control is a skill that can be used for both good and bad. Employers may ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of impulse control and how it affects your life. In your answer, try to explain what some symptoms are and why they’re important. You can also use this opportunity to share any personal experiences with poor impulse control.

Example: “Some common signs of poor impulse control include impatience, lack of self-control and acting without thinking. These behaviors can lead to problems in school, work or social situations. For example, I once had an employee who couldn’t wait his turn to speak during meetings. He would often interrupt others while they were speaking, which made him seem rude. His behavior led to many complaints from other employees.”

6. Is there a difference between impulsivity and compulsivity in humans? If yes, then what are they?

Impulsivity and compulsivity are two different behavioral disorders that can be difficult to differentiate. Your answer should show the interviewer that you understand the difference between these two conditions and how they affect people’s lives.

Example: “Impulsivity is a behavior where someone acts without thinking about the consequences of their actions, while compulsivity is when someone feels compelled to do something repeatedly. In my experience as a therapist, I have seen both impulsivity and compulsivity in patients with mental health issues. For example, some patients may feel compelled to gamble or steal because of an impulse control disorder.”

7. How does impulsivity affect adults differently from children?

Impulsivity can affect adults differently than children. This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the subject and how it applies in different situations. In your answer, explain that impulsivity affects adults more negatively because they have more responsibilities and consequences for their actions.

Example: “Impulsivity affects adults more negatively than children because adults are expected to be more mature and responsible. When I worked with children, I would often use games or activities to help them learn impulse control skills. For example, if a child was having trouble waiting for their turn during a game, I would give them an activity where they had to wait before they could color. This helped them practice patience and develop better impulse control.”

8. Why do you think people with ADHD have trouble controlling their impulses?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your understanding of what causes impulsivity and how it affects people with ADHD. Your answer should include a brief description of why you think this is the case, as well as an example of how you would help someone who has trouble controlling their impulses.

Example: “I believe that people with ADHD have trouble controlling their impulses because they are unable to focus on one thing for long periods of time. This makes it difficult for them to concentrate on tasks or conversations, which in turn leads to acting without thinking about the consequences. I once worked with a client who had ADHD, and we focused on helping him develop his concentration skills so he could learn to control his impulses.”

9. What would happen if we had no means to control our impulses?

Impulse control is a vital skill for many jobs, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to regulate your emotions. Use your answer to explain how impulse control can be beneficial in the workplace.

Example: “Without impulse control, we would have no way of regulating our emotions or behavior. This could lead to us saying things that are hurtful or doing things that are dangerous. In the workplace, it’s important to maintain self-control so you don’t make mistakes that affect your work performance. For example, if I had no impulse control, I might say something inappropriate to my coworkers or clients.”

10. Do you think impulse control is more important for adults or children?

Impulse control is an important skill for both adults and children. Interviewers may ask this question to see how you apply your impulse control skills in different situations. In your answer, explain that impulse control is a vital life skill for everyone. Explain that it’s especially important for children because they’re developing their self-control abilities.

Example: “I think impulse control is equally important for adults and children. For children, impulse control is essential as they learn how to manage their emotions and develop self-regulation skills. Adults also need strong impulse control skills to make good decisions and avoid making impulsive choices.”

11. Are there any risks associated with having good impulse control?

Employers may ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of impulse control and how it can affect your work. They want to know that you will use good judgment when making decisions in the workplace. In your answer, explain why having strong impulse control is important and what could happen if you don’t have it.

Example: “Having good impulse control is essential for anyone working in a customer service role. If I were to lose my temper with a customer or coworker, it could lead to losing my job or getting demoted. It’s also important to have good impulse control when driving because it helps me stay focused on the road. If I lost my focus while driving, I could get into an accident.”

12. What causes someone to lose control over their impulses?

Impulse control is a skill that can be developed over time. Employers may ask this question to learn more about your understanding of the factors that influence impulse control and how you’ve overcome challenges in the past. In your answer, try to identify what causes someone to lose control over their impulses and explain how you develop strategies to avoid these situations.

Example: “I believe there are many factors that contribute to losing control over one’s impulses. For example, if I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it’s much harder for me to maintain my composure. Another factor is whether or not I have enough sleep. If I haven’t slept well, I find myself being less patient with others and having a hard time controlling my emotions.”

13. What are some common personality disorders that are related to poor impulse control?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of mental health disorders and how they relate to poor impulse control. It also shows them that you can apply what you know about these disorders to help others who may be struggling with them.

Example: “There are several personality disorders that are related to poor impulse control, including borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. People with borderline personality disorder have difficulty controlling their emotions and often act impulsively as a result. Those with antisocial personality disorder tend to disregard social norms and rules, which can lead to impulsive behavior. Finally, those with narcissistic personality disorder feel entitled to whatever they want, so they may make decisions without considering the consequences.”

14. What are some examples of bad decisions made due to lack of impulse control?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience with impulse control and how it can affect your work. It’s important to answer this question honestly, but also try to use it as an opportunity to explain what you learned from the situation and how you’ve improved since then.

Example: “In my first job out of college, I was working in customer service for a large company. One day, a customer called in asking for help with their product. I tried to be helpful, but they were very rude to me on the phone. After about ten minutes of them being so unpleasant, I lost my temper and yelled at them. They hung up on me, and I felt terrible. I apologized to them later, but they never called back.

I learned from this experience that no matter how someone treats you, you should always remain calm and polite. If they are acting inappropriately, you should end the call or conversation immediately and report them to your supervisor.”

15. What are some ways to help improve impulse control in children?

Impulse control is a skill that can be developed over time. Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with children and helping them develop impulse control skills. Use examples from your previous work or school experiences to explain how you helped students learn self-control.

Example: “I worked as a summer camp counselor for three years, where I had the opportunity to help kids improve their impulse control skills through various activities. For example, we would play games like Simon Says and Red Light Green Light to help kids practice waiting for directions and following rules. We also played tag and other physical games to help them learn how to wait for their turn and not run into others.”