Alcohol Breeds Empty Goal Commitments
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In: Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Vol. 118, No. 3, 08.2009, p. 623-633.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Alcohol Breeds Empty Goal Commitments
AU - Sevincer, A. Timur
AU - Oettingen, Gabriele
PY - 2009/8
Y1 - 2009/8
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - alcohol
KW - expectations
KW - goal commitment
KW - goal striving
KW - placebo
KW - Psychology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=68949184876&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/d3dd878c-1441-3b68-8c98-5f20bd5d392b/
U2 - 10.1037/a0016199
DO - 10.1037/a0016199
M3 - Journal articles
AN - SCOPUS:68949184876
VL - 118
SP - 623
EP - 633
JO - Journal of Abnormal Psychology
JF - Journal of Abnormal Psychology
SN - 0021-843X
IS - 3
ER -