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Expectation as a mediator in alcohol intoxication: A reference level model

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Abstract

The application of the construct of expectation to human psychopharmacology and alcohol research is briefly reviewed. It is argued that application of Schachterian theory and its extensions in current models of alcohol and expectancy is inappropriate. Furthermore, current models are based only on a limited set of findings and thus have limited utility. A reference level model of alcohol intoxication is proposed as an alternative to current models of alcohol and expectancy. It is shown that the reference level model can lead to significant progress in understanding past work and in stimulating new research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, 37214, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

    Stephen A. Maisto, Gerard J. Connors & Paul R. Sachs

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  1. Stephen A. Maisto
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  2. Gerard J. Connors
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  3. Paul R. Sachs
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Additional information

Preparation of this manuscript was supported in part by Grant No. 5 T32 AA07072 from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The authors would like to express their gratitude for the cogent comments of Christine A. Maisto and Drs. Mark B. Sobell, Lawrence Gaines, and Thomas Douthitt on earlier drafts of the paper. We would also like to thank Dr. G. Terence Wilson and three anonymous reviewers for their extremely helpful suggestions for revising the manuscript.

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Maisto, S.A., Connors, G.J. & Sachs, P.R. Expectation as a mediator in alcohol intoxication: A reference level model. Cogn Ther Res 5, 1–18 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01172322

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