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Too Insensitive to Care: Alcohol Increases Human Aggression by Increasing Pain Threshold
C Nathan DeWall1, Peter R Giancola2, Brad J Bushman3
1Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
|November 26, 2024
Summary
Alcohol consumption increases aggression by raising pain thresholds. This study found that individuals who drank alcohol experienced less pain and subsequently inflicted more pain on others, demonstrating a link between alcohol, pain perception, and aggression.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Alcohol consumption is historically linked to pain reduction.
- Previous studies indicate alcohol raises pain thresholds and pain thresholds correlate with aggression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if increased pain threshold mediates the relationship between alcohol consumption and aggression.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments (N=543, N=327) with heavy social drinkers randomly assigned to alcohol or placebo.
- Participants underwent stepwise electric shocks to determine pain threshold.
- Aggression was measured by delivering electric shocks to an opponent after winning a reaction time task.
Main Results:
- Alcohol consumption significantly increased pain threshold compared to placebo.
- Lower self-perceived pain correlated with higher aggression levels.
- Findings were consistent across both experiments.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol intoxication partially increases aggression by elevating pain thresholds.
- This provides a potential mechanism explaining alcohol-related aggression.
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