impulsiva

Impulsiva is the feminine form of the Spanish adjective impulsivo. It describes behavior, actions, or a person who acts on impulse, with little forethought, or who is spontaneous and prone to sudden decisions. The term is often used to contrast with conduct that is deliberate, planned, or measured. As a grammatical form, impulsiva agrees in gender with feminine nouns; the masculine form is impulsivo, and the plural forms are impulsivas (feminine) and impulsivos (masculine).

The word derives from Latin impulsivus, from impellere “to push toward” or “to drive forward.” In contemporary Spanish, impulsiva is most commonly used attributively (“una decisión impulsiva”) or predicatively (“es impulsiva”).

In psychology, impulsividad refers to a trait characterized by acting on spontaneous urges with limited forethought. Impulsiva can describe such behavior or a person who tends to act impulsively. It is not a diagnosis in itself but a descriptor that can appear in clinical or colloquial contexts. The term may carry negative connotations, implying a lack of self-control, though it can also be used neutrally to describe a stylistic tendency or temperament.

In literature and media, characters described as impulsiva may be portrayed as energetic, unguarded, or reckless, depending on context. Related terms include impulsividad, impulsivo, and the opposed concept of reflexivo or planificado, which emphasizes deliberation and forethought.