Group differences in alcohol-creativity interactions

A repeated-measures, balanced-order design was used to test for the effects of alcohol on creativity as measured by verbal forms of the Torrance Creativity Test. Social drinkers (8 men and 8 women) performed under 2 conditions, alcohol (dose = 0.83 ml ethanol/kg body weight) and a placebo. Significant group differences in the alcohol-creativity interaction were noted in that the performance of higher-scoring (in the placebo condition) subjects was impaired by alcohol whereas that of lower-scoring subjects was enhanced.