Impulse is a sudden
and irresistible desire or force in a person that compels him to the conscious
performance of some act for which there is no motive; for example, kleptomania
means an irresistible desire to steal articles which may be of small value and
even, may be of no use to the person stealing the article. A sane person who
has self–control and judgment capacity may not finally give shape to his
impulsive or compulsive desire. But an insane person, who lacks in self–control
and judgment capacity, cannot resist the impulse and may commit any offence.
Thus, in connection with commission of an unlawful act, impulse is a good
defense for an insane person which is not so for a sane person. Some types of
impulses are:
- Dipsomania: This is found in alcoholics who
have an irresistible desire to take alcoholic drinks.
- Pyromania: Here, there is an irresistible
desire to set fire to things, which may be important and valuable. The
person is not conscious or careful, at least temporarily, to the possible
dangers of his act.
- Mutilomania: This is an irresistible desire to
injure and mutilate animals, commonly the domestic pets.
- Sexual impulse: The person may feel compulsive
urge to perform sexual intercourse, often in a perverted way. There may be
some psychic problem concerning the sexual behavior; or the person may be
a victim of mental sub normality.
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