Alcohol effects on behavioral control: the impact of likelihood and magnitude of negative consequences.
BACKGROUND
This study utilized Signal Detection Theory to examine the relative influence of likelihood and magnitude of consequences when assessing alcohol effects on behavioral control.


METHODS
Moderate to heavy drinkers (N=101) were assigned to alcohol or placebo and completed 4 administrations of a go/stop task that varied the likelihood and magnitude of punishment.


RESULTS
Participants in the alcohol condition correctly responded to fewer go signals, and showed a trend toward reduction in sensitivity to task stimuli. Alcohol effects on sensitivity to go and stop signals were most evident when the likelihood of rewards and punishments were similar whereas the magnitude of punishment was not related to the strength of alcohol effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that likelihood of punishment is a more powerful determinant of alcohol-induced disinhibition than is magnitude.
Corbin
William R
WR
Department of Psychology, Yale University, Box 208205, New Haven, CT 06520-8205, USA. william.corbin@yale.edu
Cronce
Jessica M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D011678:Punishment / Q000523:psychology*; D012201:Reward; D017603:Signal Detection, Psychological