Differences in implicit associations about alcohol between blacks and whites following alcohol administration

Implicit cognitions about alcohol have been shown to be an important predictor of alcohol use. Relatively little research has been conducted on racial/ethnic differences in implicit cognitions or changes in implicit cognitions while intoxicated. This study examined differences between Blacks and Whites in positive and negative implicit associations about alcohol, as measured by the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and tested differences in IAT scores when participants were sober and intoxicated.

One hundred thirty-five young adults (46% of Black descent) participated in an alcohol-administration study, receiving a moderate dose of alcohol (0.72 g/kg alcohol for men, 0.65 g/kg for women). The IAT was administered in two sessions, one in which alcohol was administered (30 minutes after alcohol consumption) and one in which it was not, approximately 1 week apart.

Repeated-measures mixed-factorial analyses of variance were conducted separately for positive and negative IAT scores. Blacks held lower positive and negative implicit cognitions about alcohol compared with Whites. Positive and negative IAT scores did not change as a function of intoxication. Positive explicit expectancies and self-reported past-month drinking behavior were related to positive IAT scores. Positive and negative IAT scores were also related to acute subjective response to alcohol, and this association differed by race.

Results extend previous studies by providing evidence for racial differences in implicit cognitions about alcohol and by showing the stability of the IAT while participants are intoxicated. Future studies are needed to determine what factors contribute to racial differences in implicit cognitions.