Alcohol increases reliance on cues that signal acts of control.
This study examined the effects of alcohol on the ability to execute and inhibit behavior in a context in which preliminary information signaled the likelihood that a response should be executed or suppressed. Adults (N = 24) performed a cued go/no-go task that required quick responses to go targets and suppression of responses to no-go targets. Cue dependency was manipulated by varying the predictive validity of the cues, and performance was tested under 3 doses of alcohol: 0.00 g/kg, 0.45 g/kg, and 0.65 g/kg. Dose-dependent increases in cue dependence were only observed with highly predictive cues. Results suggest that alcohol-induced increases in stimulus control over behavior might be most likely in situations when stimulus control over behavior has already been established.
Marczinski
Cecile A
CA
Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, USA.
Fillmore
Mark T
MT
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003463:Cues; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol