Alcohol and self-disclosure: analyses of interpersonal behavior in male and female social drinkers.
We examined the effects of alcohol and expectations about drinking on self-disclosure in male and female social drinkers. Consistent with cognitive social learning theory, these effects were shown to vary as a function of dose, expectations about alcohol consumption and gender-related social learning history. In men, alcohol increases self-disclosure, but only at a moderate blood alcohol level. Expectations emerged as a powerful influence on self-disclosure. Men who believed that they and their female partner were both intoxicated showed increased self-disclosure although no alcohol was consumed. Women who believed that they were intoxicated showed the opposite pattern of a decrease in self-disclosure. Another gender difference was that moderate alcohol had no effect on women's self-disclosure. The self-awareness model of alcohol use failed to receive support.
Caudill
B D
BD
Alcohol Behavior Research Laboratory, Rutgers, State University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854.
Wilson
G T
GT
Abrams
D B
DB
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012737:Sex Factors