Bogus-pipeline effects on self-reported college student drug use, problems, and attitudes

This study examined whether a bogus objective measure (bogus-pipeline) would increase self-reported drug measures in a selected college population. A sample of 152 subjects were randomly assigned to receive: (1) a verbal bogus-pipeline protocol (VBP), (2) a printed cartoon bogus-pipeline (CBP), or (3) a questionnaire-only control (QOC). No significant differences were found in the proportions of college students in pipeline and control conditions reporting current social, illegal, and nonmedical prescription drug use, as well as drug-related problems and attitudes. A significantly greater proportion of subjects receiving the verbal bogus-pipeline procedure (p = .006) reported heavy cigarette use.