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The Effect of Alcohol Primes on State Aggression Among University Students

Hakala, P. (2024) The Effect of Alcohol Primes on State Aggression Among University Students.

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Abstract:The association between alcohol consumption and increased aggression is a consistently documented phenomenon, supported by unequivocal evidence. Two primary theories have been proposed to explain this relationship. The first posits that alcohol induces aggression by pharmacologically impairing cognitive processes related to inhibitory control. The second theory suggests that the link between alcohol and aggression stems from the belief that alcohol consumption leads to increased aggressive behaviour. Notably, research indicates that the effects of expected outcomes may be triggered by mere exposure to alcohol cues. The present study aimed to test this hypothesis by examining how subliminal alcohol primes influence state aggression in university students. Thirty-one participants engaged in an experiment that investigated lexical decision-making, facial expression recognition, and hostile tendencies. The results largely confirmed the expectations and aligned with findings from previous studies. Participants exposed to alcohol primes exhibited faster reaction times to aggression-related words and showed more hostile tendencies compared to the control group. Contrary to expectations, alcohol cues did not bring about changes in facial expression recognition. These results are discussed in the context of existing theories, and recommendations for future research are presented.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/98093
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