Alcohol Breeds Empty Goal Commitments

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Authors

According to alcohol-myopia theory (C.M. Steele & R.A. Josephs, 1990), alcohol leads individuals to disproportionally focus on the most salient aspects of a situation and to ignore peripheral information. The authors hypothesized that alcohol leads individuals to strongly commit to their goals without considering information about the probability of goal attainment. In Study 1, participants named their most important interpersonal goal, indicated their expectations of successfully attaining it, and then consumed either alcohol or a placebo. In contrast to participants who consumed a placebo, intoxicated participants felt strongly committed to their goals despite low expectations of attaining them. In Study 2, goal-directed actions were measured over time. Once sober again, intoxicated participants with low expectations did not follow up on their strong commitments. Apparently, when prospects are bleak, alcohol produces empty goal commitments, as commitments are not based on individuals' expectations of attaining their goals and do not foster goal striving over time.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology
Volume118
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)623-633
Number of pages11
ISSN0021-843X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 08.2009
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • alcohol, expectations, goal commitment, goal striving, placebo
  • Psychology

DOI