What defines the irresistible impulse rule?

The irresistible impulse rule addresses circumstances in which a defendant, while aware that their actions are wrong, lacks the ability to control their behavior due to mental illness. This rule recognizes that there are instances where individuals may understand the legal wrongness of their actions but cannot restrain themselves from committing those acts due to overwhelming psychological compulsion. This concept is significant in criminal law as it pertains to the insanity defense, which seeks to establish that a person's mental state during the commission of a crime negates the intent necessary for a conviction.

Other options do not accurately reflect the principles behind the irresistible impulse rule. For instance, having no prior criminal history or having a clear motive does not speak to the defendant's mental capacity at the time of the crime. Additionally, acting under immediate threat typically pertains to duress as a defense rather than issues of self-control or compulsion associated with mental illness. Thus, the focus of the irresistible impulse rule is specifically on the lack of control over one's actions despite an awareness of their wrongness.