The influence of control over appetitive and aversive events on alcohol preference in rats

The effect of control of food reinforcement or shock termination on alcohol drinking was examined in two experiments. In the first experiment, rats unable to control the delivery of food pellets preferred alcohol more than rats which had control over food. Similarly, in the second experiment, rats unable to control electric footshock termination preferred alcohol more than rats which could escape shock. These results showed that the psychological dimension of control over environmental events influences alcohol preference in rats.