Which of the following is a factor used to explain substance abuse that emphasizes impulses and disinhibition?

• A. Genetics
• B. Impulsivity and ease of disinhibition
• C. Environmental factors
• D. Biopsychosocial models

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is a trait-based explanation that centers on self-control and reward processing. Impulsivity means acting quickly without enough forethought, and disinhibition is a reduced restraint that makes it easier to pursue immediate rewards. When someone scores high on these tendencies, the lure of a drug’s immediate positive effects can overpower concerns about future problems, helping explain why substance use can start and continue despite negative consequences.

Genetics describes inherited vulnerability, which is a broader biological factor rather than the immediate impulse-driven mechanism. Environmental factors focus on external influences like peers or stress, and biopsychosocial models integrate many influences, but the option that best captures the specific emphasis on acting on impulses and easing of restraint is the trait of impulsivity with disinhibition.