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Groupdrink: The Effects of Alcohol on Intergroup Competitiveness

  • Timothy Hopthrow
  • , Dominic Abrams
  • , Daniel Frings
  • , Lorne G. Hulbert
  • University of Kent
  • Department of Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Alcohol is often consumed in group settings. The present article examines the effect of alcohol on intergroup competitiveness through the use of a prisoner's dilemma game. One hundred fifty-eight college students participated in the study, either individually or as a member of a 4-person experimental single-sex group. Participants consumed either alcohol (1.13 g ethanol/kg body weight) or a placebo. Results show no effect of alcohol on cooperative choice within individuals. However, groups were significantly less cooperative after consuming alcohol than they were after consuming a placebo. In addition, after consuming alcohol, groups were less cooperative than were individuals. Results are discussed in terms of the way alcohol may affect focus of attention on group-level cues.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)272-276
Number of pages5
JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors
Volume21
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2007
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • alcohol
  • groups
  • social dilemma

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