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Cognitive and situational factors predict alcoholic beverage selection
1Department of Psychology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale 62901, USA.
Addictive Behaviors
|July 1, 1995
Summary
People tend to copy their drinking partner's beverage choice. This study found that a confederate's choice and personal alcohol expectancies, like social pleasure, influenced participants' decisions on alcoholic or nonalcoholic drinks.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Substance Use Research
Background:
- Alcohol consumption patterns are influenced by social dynamics.
- Social modeling significantly impacts individual behavior, including drinking habits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of social modeling on beverage selection.
- To examine the role of alcohol-related expectancies in predicting drinking behavior.
Main Methods:
- A two-part study involving 60 men and 73 women.
- Participants' beverage choices were observed in relation to a confederate's selection.
- Stepwise logistic regression analyzed predictors of alcoholic vs. nonalcoholic drink selection.
Main Results:
- Confederate beverage choice was a significant predictor of participant selection.
- Personal alcohol expectancies, particularly those related to social and physical pleasure, also predicted beverage choice.
- Participant gender, same-gender pairings, fear of negative evaluation, and typical drinking habits were not significant predictors.
Conclusions:
- Social modeling and individual alcohol expectancies are key factors in determining beverage choice.
- Understanding both situational (modeling) and individual (expectancies) variables is crucial for predicting alcohol consumption behavior.