Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

A Prediction Error-driven Retrieval Procedure for Destabilizing and Rewriting Maladaptive Reward Memories in Hazardous Drinkers
Published on: January 5, 2018
Readiness to change drinking among heavy-drinking college students
P W Vik1, K A Culbertson, K Sellers
1Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Pocatello 83209-8112, USA.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to examine motivation to reduce alcohol consumption among heavy-drinking college students. Specific goals were to test the factor structure of the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES); present normative SOCRATES data for collegiate heavy drinkers; present a heuristic, using SOCRATES scales to determine stage of readiness to change heavy-drinking; and compare students at different stages of change on demographic and drinking variables.
Method:
Participants were 278 (187 female) undergraduates who reported at least one episode of heavy drinking within the past 3 months. Students completed the SOCRATES and other questionnaires that assessed current and past drinking and demographics.
Results:
Confirmatory factor analysis provided modest support for the SOCRATES factor structure. Students were classified according to the transtheoretical model of change (67% Precontemplation, 20% Contemplation and 13% Action). Contemplators drank more often, consumed more alcohol, reported more heavy drinking episodes and experienced more alcohol consequences than the other groups.
Conclusions:
Two thirds of the heavy-drinking college students did not recognize a need to reduce their alcohol consumption, despite evidence of tolerance and negative drinking consequences.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Cross-Sectional Research
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Cognitive Dissonance
Hypothesis Test for Test of Independence
H0: The two variables (factors)...
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

