Exploring the alcohol-behaviour link: Myopic self-enhancement in the absence of alcohol consumption as a function of past alcohol use. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moss, Antony C.; Albery, Ian P.; Rahman, Khaleda
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors reports. Volume 4(2016)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Alcohol -- Alcohol myopia theory -- Alcohol expectancy theory -- Self-enhancement -- Placebo -- Priming; Compulsive behavior -- Periodicals; 616.8584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2016.07.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-8532

Abstract

Abstract: Dual process accounts of the alcohol-behaviour link hypothesise that differences in drinking patterns will moderate the effects of exposure to alcohol-related cues on behaviour, such as when a placebo is administered. We test this hypothesis by adapting a paradigm used in alcohol myopia research to examine the effects of alcohol-related priming on self-enhancement behaviour amongst social drinkers. Participants were asked to engage in a computerised self-rating task prior to being exposed to alcohol related and/or motivational primes. A staged computer error then occurred, and participants were then asked to complete their self ratings again – this method allowed for an immediate assessment of the impact of alcohol and motivational primes on self enhancement. As predicted by alcohol myopia theory, the overall effect of priming with alcohol-related cues was not significant irrespective of response-conflict manipulations. However, drinker type moderated this effect such that heavier drinkers self-enhanced more after exposure to alcohol-related cues, but only in high-conflict conditions. This suggests that the efficacy of a placebo may be significantly moderated by individual differences in reactions to alcohol-related stimuli, and that dual process accounts of the effects of alcohol on behaviour better explains this variation than alcohol myopia theory. Highlights: Effect of alcohol priming on self enhancement was tested. Novel computerised paradigm developed to test immediate self enhancement effects. Heavier drinkers reported increased positive self-image after priming with alcohol. High degree of response conflict required for self enhancement to occur. Supports synthesis of myopia and expectancy theory to describe alcohol behaviour link.