Impulse vs. Compulsion — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 29, 2023
Impulse refers to a sudden desire or urge, often without premeditation; Compulsion is an irresistible, often irrational, force driving someone to act, usually out of habit or obsession.
Difference Between Impulse and Compulsion
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Impulse and Compulsion both revolve around actions instigated by internal feelings. Impulse can be understood as a spontaneous urge or desire that hasn't been ruminated upon. It’s like a momentary push from within, urging someone to act. For instance, someone might buy something on impulse without considering whether they really need it.
Contrarily, Compulsion carries a weight of necessity. When someone feels compelled, they often feel they have no other choice but to act. This is not a fleeting moment of desire but a pressing and often irrational force that drives behavior. Someone with a compulsion to wash their hands might do so repeatedly, even when their hands are clean.
While Impulse can be fleeting and occasional, Compulsion often comes from a deeper place and can be repetitive. Impulse might lead someone to try a new food on a whim, while compulsion could cause someone to eat the same food every day, despite not necessarily enjoying it.
Impulse often lacks the intensity associated with compulsion. Acting on an impulse doesn’t usually have lasting repercussions, whereas yielding to compulsion can lead to sustained patterns of behavior. For instance, an impulse might lead to a one-time splurge, but a shopping compulsion could lead to debt.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Sudden, spontaneous desire
Strong, often irrational urge
ADVERTISEMENT
Duration
Fleeting and occasional
Persistent and repetitive
Intensity
Less intense
More intense and overpowering
Root Cause
Often situational, based on immediate stimuli
Deep-seated, possibly stemming from psychological conditions
Example Scenario
Buying a dress on a whim
Feeling the need to check the door lock multiple times
Compare with Definitions
Impulse
A momentary force or push from within.
An impulse made him reach out and hug her.
Compulsion
A behavior driven by an inner force, often repetitively.
Cleaning became a compulsion for him after the incident.
Impulse
A brief, instinctual inclination to act.
He had an impulse to travel and explore.
Compulsion
An action performed due to an uncontrollable urge.
Despite knowing its drawbacks, he felt a compulsion to smoke.
Impulse
A short-lived reaction to a stimulus.
The joke gave him an impulse to laugh out loud.
Compulsion
A persistent, often irrational, need to perform an action.
Her compulsion to organize made her rearrange the furniture frequently.
Impulse
A fleeting emotional response.
She had a creative impulse and began to paint.
Compulsion
An overpowering urge to act in a specific way.
He felt a compulsion to check his messages constantly.
Impulse
A sudden, spontaneous urge or desire.
On impulse, she decided to take the day off.
Compulsion
The act of compelling.
Impulse
An impelling force; an impetus.
Compulsion
The state of being compelled.
Impulse
The motion produced by such a force.
Compulsion
An irresistible impulse to act, regardless of the rationality of the motivation
"He felt an animal compulsion to flee the hotel and the city" (Paul Theroux).
Impulse
A sudden wish or urge that prompts an unpremeditated act or feeling; an abrupt inclination
Had an impulse to run away.
An impulse of regret that made me hesitate.
Bought a hat on impulse.
Compulsion
(Psychiatry) An act or ritual that a person feels compelled to perform repeatedly, often to reduce the distress caused by an obsession.
Impulse
A motivating force or tendency
"Respect for the liberty of others is not a natural impulse in most men" (Bertrand Russell).
Compulsion
An irrational need or irresistible urge to perform some action, often despite negative consequences.
During the basketball game, I had a sudden compulsion to have a smoke.
Impulse
(Electronics) A surge of electrical power in one direction.
Compulsion
The use of authority, influence, or other power to force (compel) a person or persons to act.
Impulse
(Physics) The product obtained by multiplying the average value of a force by the time during which it acts. The impulse equals the change in momentum produced by the force in this time interval.
Compulsion
The lawful use of violence (i.e. by the administration).
Impulse
(Physiology) The electrochemical transmission of a signal along a nerve fiber that produces an excitatory or inhibitory response at a target tissue, such as a muscle or another nerve.
Compulsion
The act of compelling, or the state of being compelled; the act of driving or urging by force or by physical or moral constraint; subjection to force.
If reasons were as plentiful as blackberries, I would give no man a reason upon compulsion.
With what compulsion and laborious flightWe sunk thus low.
Impulse
Characterized by impulsiveness or acting on impulse
An impulse shopper.
Impulse buying.
Compulsion
An urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid
Impulse
A thrust; a push; a sudden force that impels.
Compulsion
An irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions against your will
Impulse
A wish or urge, particularly a sudden one prompting action.
The impulse to learn drove me to study night and day.
When I saw the new book, I couldn't resist the impulse to browse through it.
Compulsion
Using force to cause something;
Though pressed into rugby under compulsion I began to enjoy the game
They didn`t have to use coercion
Impulse
(physics) The integral of force over time.
The total impulse from the impact will depend on the kinetic energy of the projectile.
Compulsion
An irresistible drive stemming from habit or obsession.
There was a compulsion in him to always tell the truth.
Impulse
(transitive) To impel; to incite.
Impulse
The act of impelling, or driving onward with sudden force; impulsion; especially, force so communicated as to produced motion suddenly, or immediately.
All spontaneous animal motion is performed by mechanical impulse.
Impulse
The effect of an impelling force; motion produced by a sudden or momentary force.
Impulse
The action of a force during a very small interval of time; the effect of such action; as, the impulse of a sudden blow upon a hard elastic body.
Impulse
A mental force which simply and directly urges to action; hasty inclination; sudden motive; momentary or transient influence of appetite or passion; propension; incitement; as, a man of good impulses; passion often gives a violent impulse to the will; to buy something on impulse.
These were my natural impulses for the undertaking.
Impulse
To impel; to incite.
Impulse
An instinctive motive;
Profound religious impulses
Impulse
A sudden desire;
He bought it on an impulse
Impulse
The electrical discharge that travels along a nerve fiber;
They demonstrated the transmission of impulses from the cortex to the hypothalamus
Impulse
(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients);
The pulsations seemed to be coming from a star
Impulse
The act of applying force suddenly;
The impulse knocked him over
Impulse
An impelling force or strength;
The car's momentum carried it off the road
Common Curiosities
How do impulse and compulsion differ in intensity?
Impulse is less intense and spontaneous, while compulsion is overpowering and often irrational.
Can impulses be controlled?
Yes, with mindfulness and awareness, impulses can often be controlled or managed.
Can compulsions be treated?
Yes, with therapy and sometimes medication, many compulsions can be managed or treated.
What's the psychological basis for compulsions?
Compulsions can arise from various factors, including anxiety disorders, OCD, and past traumas.
Why do people act on impulses?
It can be due to immediate desires, situational factors, or emotional states.
Are compulsions always negative?
Not necessarily, but they can be detrimental if they lead to harmful behaviors or disrupt daily life.
Is impulse based on immediate situations?
Often, yes. Impulses are typically responses to immediate stimuli or situations.
Is acting on an impulse always regrettable?
No, some impulsive decisions can be positive or benign.
Can a compulsion be a one-time thing?
Typically, compulsions are repetitive, but strong urges can be felt even if not acted upon multiple times.
How can one differentiate between the two in real-life scenarios?
Impulse often arises quickly and can pass just as fast, while compulsion feels like a more pressing and continuous urge to act.
Which is more transient, impulse or compulsion?
Impulse is more transient and fleeting than compulsion.
Can a person have both impulses and compulsions?
Yes, it's possible for someone to experience both spontaneous impulses and more ingrained compulsions.
Is impulse always acted upon?
No, not all impulses are acted upon; some are simply fleeting thoughts or desires.
Can external factors trigger compulsions?
Yes, certain situations or stimuli can trigger or exacerbate compulsive behaviors.
Are compulsions always conscious?
People might not always be fully aware of their compulsions, especially if they've become habitual.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Discount Store vs. Department Store
Next Comparison
Open University vs. Distance EducationAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
