The effect of alcohol on self-evaluation and perception of negative interpersonal feedback

Recent theories of alcohol use and misuse assume that alcohol alters cognitive-perceptual mediating processes that indirectly reduce emotional distress. One view is that alcohol enhances perceptions of control and power. Alternatively, it has been suggested that alcohol is used to reduce self-awareness, perceptions of negative feedback and negative self-evaluations. The purpose of this study was to test these two hypotheses. Forty men, all college students, participated in the study and were randomly assigned to the four conditions in a 2 X 2 balanced placebo design. Subjects interacted with a woman confederate at two points in the procedure: first under positive feedback conditions and then, after beverage consumption, under negative feedback conditions. Both sequences were videotaped and eventually viewed by the subjects. Before and after each interaction period and after the videotape procedure, subjects completed rating forms which assessed their self-perceptions. Whereas perceptions of control and power were diminished when subjects were sober, the ratings of intoxicated subjects remained stable after they received negative interpersonal feedback. Alcohol impaired the perception of negative feedback and reduced negative evaluations of the videotaped sequences.