An attention allocation model for the effects of alcohol on aggression
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Date
1992-05-15
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Virginia Tech
Abstract
The present study attempted to show that alcohol's effects on aggression are mediated by attentional processes. Sixty-four college men over the age of 21 were provoked by a confederate and then distracted or non-distracted in order to determine the effects of attention on aggression. It was hypothesized that alcohol-distract subjects would be least aggressive, while alcohol-no distract subjects would be least aggressive. Contrary to predictions, the pattern of results suggested that alcohol-distract subjects are most aggressive and that alcohol-no distract subjects are the least aggressive. Although the data failed to support an attention-allocation model, future research should attempt to test such a link using other paradigms.