| Abstract: | In 2 laboratory studies, the authors tested the hypothesis that intoxicated risk taking results from alcohol's effects on negative outcome expectancies. Young adults (N ?=?107) consumed alcohol or no alcohol and made ratings of the likelihood that negative and positive consequences would result from a variety of risky activities. Consistent with study hypotheses, participants rated negative consequences as less likely when they were intoxicated than when sober. Results were replicated in a second study (N ?=?88), which further showed that alcohol, rather than expectancy set, contributed to these reduced perceptions of risk. Findings provide the first experimental evidence that alcohol intoxication may contribute to risk-taking behavior by altering expectations about negative consequences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
