Alcohol and aggression: pharmacological versus expectancy effects

Effects of Alcohol and Drinking Experience on Human Physical Aggression

Intoxicated and nonintoxicated male subjects with self-reported low, moderate, and high drinking experience were given the opportunity to administer electrical shocks to an opponent in the context of a competitive reaction time task. Relative to subjects with moderate and high drinking experience, alcohol intoxication enhanced the aggressive behavior of the low-drinking-experience subjects.

Alcohol and Violence in a Nonmetropolitan College Town

This study examined the association between alcohol outlet density and violence in a nonmetropolitan college town. Nearly all prior empirical research examining this association has been undertaken in large urban cities. Using data on Bloomington, Indiana, block groups, we estimated ordinary least squared and spatially lagged regression models to determine whether alcohol outlet density was associated with assault density, and we also took into account the seriousness of violence (i.e., simple and aggravated assault) and different alcohol outlet types (i.e., off-premise, restaurants, and bars). The results showed that total alcohol outlet density was significantly associated with both simple and aggravated assault density in a nonmetropolitan college town. In addition, restaurant and bar densities were significantly associated with simple assault density, whereas off-premise and bar densities were significantly associated with aggravated assault density. These results not only extend the geographic scope of this relationship to nonmetropolitan towns but also have important policy implications.

Spouse abuse and alcohol problems among white, African American, and Hispanic U.S. Army soldiers

BACKGROUND

Prior studies suggest racial/ethnic differences in the associations between alcohol misuse and spouse abuse. Some studies indicate that drinking patterns are a stronger predictor of spouse abuse for African Americans but not whites or Hispanics, while others report that drinking patterns are a stronger predictor for whites than African Americans or Hispanics. This study extends prior work by exploring associations between heavy drinking, alcohol-related problems, and risk for spouse abuse within racial/ethnic groups as well as variations associated with whether the perpetrator is drinking during the spouse abuse incident.

METHODS

Cases (N=7,996) were all active-duty male, enlisted Army spouse abusers identified in the Army's Central Registry (ACR) who had also completed an Army Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) Survey between 1991 and 1998. Controls (N=17,821) were matched on gender, rank, and marital and HRA status.

RESULTS

We found 3 different patterns of association between alcohol use and domestic violence depending upon both the race/ethnicity of the perpetrator and whether or not alcohol was involved in the spouse abuse event. First, after adjusting for demographic and psychosocial factors, weekly heavy drinking (>14 drinks per week) and alcohol-related problems (yes to 2 or more of 6 alcohol-related problem questions, including the CAGE) were significant predictors of domestic violence among whites and Hispanics only. Also for the white soldiers, the presence of family problems mediated the effect of alcohol-related problems on spouse abuse. Second, alcohol-related problems predicted drinking during a spouse abuse incident for all 3 race groups, but this relation was moderated by typical alcohol consumption patterns in Hispanics and whites only. Finally, alcohol-related problems predicted drinking during a spouse abuse incident, but this was a complex association moderated by different psychosocial or behavioral variables within each race/ethnic group.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest important cultural/social influences that interact with drinking patterns.

The Role of Alcohol and Steroid Hormones in Human Aggression

The association between alcohol and aggressive behavior is well established although a direct causal relationship has proven hard to demonstrate. There are, however, indications that alcohol facilitates aggression in individuals who already have a predisposition to behave aggressively. Aggressive personality disorders have in turn been explained by elevated testosterone level. A one-to-one relation between increased levels of testosterone and aggression has been, nevertheless, difficult to reveal. Two metabolites of testosterone, estradiol and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), have been studied much less in human aggressive behavior. Estradiol might reduce androgenic effects and have a counterbalancing influence on aggression. DHT, again, has a much higher affinity than testosterone to androgen receptors, and there are indications that some of the effects of testosterone-mediating aggressive behavior occur after aromatization. Disregard of seasonal and circadian fluctuations in male testosterone production might be responsible for some of the inconclusive testosterone-aggression results. In addition, increasing age decreases both aggressive behavior and testosterone production in males. Cortisol has yielded conflicting results as a mediator in aggressive behavior. Both higher and lower levels have been reported in aggressive and abusive men. Finally, the acute and chronic effects of alcohol influence the steroid hormone levels in various ways. The present understanding of the etiology of aggression is still vague. It is clear that a multidimensional approach, combining both biological and psychosocial factors, will be necessary for the development of a more general concept of human aggression in the future.

The effects of alcohol and alcohol expectancies on subjective reports and physiological reactivity: a meta-analysis

The balanced placebo design (BPD) has been used to understand the etiology and maintenance of alcohol consumption. The utility of this design lies in its ability to examine both actual alcohol consumption and the expectation of alcohol consumption. A meta-analysis of the BPD literature was conducted in the context of cue-reactivity, which may be characterized as an experimental phenomenon observed in studies utilizing alcohol. Sixty-four studies were obtained in literature searches and coded for type of experimental setting and cues present during the actual beverage consumption. Lab setting was a moderator for both pharmacological (alcohol) and expectancy effects with the largest effects (in the same direction) noted in natural environment labs (i.e., an easy chair and casual environment). Contrary to predictions, the bar lab produced the smallest effects. Cues present during alcohol consumption served as a moderator of pharmacological effect, with the largest effect observed when alcohol was placed on the rim of the glass. Implications of these findings for cue-reactivity studies and the treatment of alcohol abuse are discussed.

The relation between alcohol and aggression: an integrated biopsychosocial conceptualization

The relation between acute alcohol consumption and aggressive behavior is a complex phenomenon that has been studied from a variety of different disciplines. This article reviews findings from both survey and experimental research. The influence of both situational and individual difference variables on the alcohol-aggression relation is discussed and the strengths and weaknesses of various methodological approaches are highlighted. Current theoretical perspectives of the alcohol-aggression relation are reviewed. An integrated heuristic framework of the alcohol-aggression relation also is outlined. This conceptualization involves both distal and proximal risk factors for problems with alcohol and violence, which include biological, psychological, interpersonal, and contextual influences. Research and treatment implications of this framework are also discussed. It is recommended that researchers attempt to measure variables from a variety of domains in order to obtain a better understanding of this complex phenomenon. Furthermore, it is emphasized that there is a clear need to further implement and assess primary and secondary prevention efforts and to design integrated and flexible approaches for individuals with alcohol and violence problems.

Aggressive and nonaggressive behavior as a function of alcohol intoxication and frustration in women

An experiment tested whether alcohol increases aggression in women in a situation in which both an aggressive and a nonaggressive response alternative of equal instrumentality and of equal variability are available. Subjects were assigned to one of three groups, namely, an alcohol, a placebo, or a control group. The alcohol dose was 1.0 ml of pure alcohol/kg body weight. After drinking their respective drink, subjects were instructed to supervise a bogus partner on a visual scan test over a series of trials. Each time this partner made a mistake, subjects could either give an uncomfortable electric shock (scale 1 to 10) or a comfortable vibration (scale 1 to 10) to the partner. Aggressive and nonaggressive behavior was measured as numbers, intensities, and durations of shocks or vibrations, respectively. Neither alcohol nor frustration differentiated the groups on aggressive or nonaggressive behavior. All groups were significantly more inclined to use the nonaggressive alternative irrespective of alcohol dose and level of frustration. In conclusion it was stated that women do not increase their aggression as a function of alcohol in a situation with more than one response alternative available. The need to incorporate gender differences as to aggressive effects of alcohol was stressed.

Alcohol and outcome expectancies: tolerance for socially nonacceptable behaviors

A questionnaire was administered to 200 college men and women. The instrument contained two identical sets of 45 items, each one describing a socially nonacceptable behavior. Subjects indicated whether their tolerance for the described behaviors was altered if they knew that the person was moderately intoxicated and whether they expected changed tolerance from others for inappropriate social behaviors when they themselves acted under moderate influence of alcohol. The general result indicated both reduced expected and displayed tolerance for alcohol-related social transgressions. This was interpreted as nonsupportive of the "time-out" hypothesis, according to which alcohol intoxication functions as an "excuse" for socially unacceptable behaviors. A minority of the respondents, however, both showed and expected extreme tolerance under alcohol and for this minority the "time-out" hypothesis might be valid.

Alcohol-related expectancies for self and others reported by alcoholic men and women

A questionnaire used by Rohsenow in 1983 was administered to 87 alcoholic men and women taking part in rehabilitation programs at local Swedish outpatient rehabilitation clinics. The purpose was to explore their alcohol-related expectancies for themselves and for others and to compare these with the results from other similar studies in other cultures. The answers, scored according to Rohsenow's eight factors, indicated that alcoholics expected larger positive and negative effects for others than for themselves. This discrepancy was slightly modified by such variables as sex, age, and drinking habits. Alcoholics in Sweden seem to have alcohol-related expectancies similar to those of social drinkers both in Sweden and in other Western countries.

Male physical aggression as a function of alcohol intoxication and frustration: experimental results and methodological considerations

Forty-five undergraduate students were assigned to either an Alcohol, a Placebo, or a Control group. The alcohol dose was 0.80 g of 100% alcohol/kg body weight. Subjects were informed that they could win a sum of money depending on the performance of a partner. They then supervised the partner over a series of trials on a visual scan test and could influence the partner by either giving an uncomfortable electric shock (aggressive alternative) or a comfortable vibration (nonaggressive alternative) at each incorrect response from the partner. Both alternatives were said to be equally instrumental in reaching the goal of winning the money and both could be varied in intensity on a 10-point scale and without limits in terms of duration. Aggression was measured as number of aggressive responses chosen, and in terms of intensity and duration. Nonaggression was measured in terms of intensity and duration. Intoxicated subjects did not increase their aggression but all groups chose significantly more nonaggressive responses and did so with higher intensity and duration. Frustration did not significantly affect these types of responding. Results are discussed in terms of methodological considerations and the importance of using realistic experimental paradigms is stressed. Also, theoretical implications are discussed.

Male physical aggression as a function of alcohol, frustration, and subjective mood

An experiment tested the hypothesis that alcohol intoxication will increase aggression only if the subject is experiencing the intoxicated state as displeasing. Forty males drank either 0.8 mL of pure alcohol/kg body weight or a placebo drink and were then exposed to either a pleasant or an unpleasant mood manipulation. Following this, they were given the chance to aggress in a modified version of the Buss "aggression machine" paradigm. All subjects were observed under varying levels of frustration. Results indicated that alcohol-drinking subjects were more aggressive than placebo-drinking subjects, and that both intoxicated and sober subjects increased their aggression when frustrated. Intoxicated subjects in a pleasant mood were most aggressive under both provocative and nonprovocative conditions. The hypothesis was not supported and results are discussed in relation to different theoretical models and in relation to results from other similar studies.

Alcohol-related expectancies reported by college women to a large dose of alcohol

A sample of 50 college women taking part in a previous study about expected effects of moderate doses of alcohol were contacted a second time. Of the original 50 subjects 47 now reported their expectancies for a large dose of alcohol both for themselves and for others by simply stating the three most probable effects in terms of behavior and emotion. They primarily expected themselves to become happy and others generally to misbehave. When answers were coded as positive or negative, subjects expected positive or negative effects both for themselves and others on the first choice. On the second and third choices, the proportion of negative expectancies increased significantly, especially for others. Results from the previous and the present study were compared, and it was concluded that subjects seem to have very few but dominant expectancies.

The effect of alcohol intoxication on primary and secondary processes in male social drinkers

The acute effects of alcohol intoxication on cognitive style and on locus of control was investigated in an experimental setting. Sixty male subjects were randomly assigned to either an Alcohol, a Placebo, or a Control group. The alcohol dose was 1.0 ml of 100% alcohol/kg body weight. Subjects filled out a modified version of Rotter's locus of control scale and reported their perceptions to Street's Gestalt Completion Test. The latter test was scored in a standardized way for stimulus closeness, indicating a reality oriented and rational functioning, and stimulus distance, indicating a more primitive, irrational and pleasure oriented functioning. Alcohol made subjects less internally controlled and decreased the reality oriented functioning while the pleasure oriented functioning was not affected. Results were discussed in terms of pharmacological mechanisms, disinhibition, and creativity.

Alcohol effects on cognitive and personality style in women with special reference to primary and secondary process

Changes in primary and secondary process functioning as well as in experienced locus of control as indicators of cognitive style were examined as a function of alcohol intoxication. Women subjects drank 1.0 ml of pure alcohol/kg body weight and were compared to a placebo and a control group. Results indicated a significant shift in locus of control toward greater externality and a significant shift in cognitive style from a dominance of secondary process when sober to a dominance of primary process when intoxicated. These shifts were discussed as indicative of the pharmacological properties of alcohol and were related to the disinhibition and the arousal hypotheses. Alternative explanations were also discussed.

Beer intoxication and physical aggression in males

Twenty subjects participated in an experiment testing the effects of a moderate dose of beer on physical aggression. Subjects were randomly assigned to a beer drinking group or a control group. Aggression was measured in terms of number of shocks given, shock intensity, and shock duration in a modified version of the Buss' aggression machine. There were no differences among groups and there was no interaction of beer by frustration on aggression. The results are explained in terms of expectancies held by subjects as to the effects of beer intoxication on behaviour.

Effects of beer and wine on male aggression as measured by a paper-and-pen test

Two experiments were performed testing whether alcohol in the form of beer and wine would increase aggression measured on a self-rating aggression inventory. No significant differences among sober and intoxicated subjects were obtained either for beer or wine. This result was discussed in terms of specific beverage-type effects on aggression, in terms of blood alcohol level, and in terms of the response measure used.

Lack of correspondence between alcohol-related aggressive expectancies for self and others

80 college students were asked about the expected effects of a moderate dose of alcohol for themselves and others in terms of getting more aggressive/angry or calm/kind. Analysis indicated that some subjects expected no such effects, some the same effects for self and others, and some different effects for self and others. Those expecting different effects believed others would become mote aggressive while they themselves would become more calm. The consequences for the balanced placebo design were discussed.

Alcohol and simple reaction time in a vigilance setting: a placebo control study

The present study tested whether earlier reported effects of alcohol on simple auditory and visual reaction time in a vigilance setting should be attributed to the pharmacological properties of alcohol or to subjects' expectancies as to the acute effects of alcohol. Results indicated that an expectancy interpretation can be excluded.

Alcohol, frustration, and aggression: an experiment using the balanced placebo design

In a balanced placebo experiment it was hypothesized that pharmacological effects of alcohol would override expectancy effects and that alcohol would increase aggression only under frustrative conditions by a process of an exaggerated subjective experience of frustration. In a modified “aggression-machine” frustration was defined as arbitrary and manipulated in a within-subjects fashion. Manipulation checks indicated difficulties in deceiving subjects as to the content of the drink, and it was not possible to evaluate pure pharmacological effects. Ratings of subjective frustration did not differentiate experimental groups. Only during frustrative conditions did intoxicated subjects increase their aggression regardless of information about drink's content. Frustration per se and expectancy factors did not lead to increased aggression. This was explained in terms of a more narrow focusing on outstanding available response alternatives and as opposed to the 1983 Taylor and Leonard explanation of alcohol-increased aggression.