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Relationship of Alcohol Cues to the Drinking Behavior of Alcoholics and Social Drinkers: An Analogue Study

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Abstract

The effects of visual alcohol cues on the operant drinking behavior of 20 alcoholics and 20 social drinkers were evaluated. The Ss performed a lever-pressing task to obtain alcohol reinforcement under 2 experimental conditions. During cue conditions Ss viewed a variety of alcohol stimuli (bottles of liquor, pictures of alcoholic beverages) while responding. During no-cue conditions all alcohol stimuli were removed from Ss’ view. Results indicated that alcoholics did not respond differently to alcohol cues. Social drinkers responded significantly more than alcoholics under cue conditions. Implications are discussed in terms of related findings from descriptive operant studies of prolonged drinking in alcoholics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Veterans Administration Center and University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, 39216, USA

    Peter M. Miller, Michel Hersen, Richard M. Eisler, Leonard H. Epstein & Laura S. Wooten

Authors
  1. Peter M. Miller
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  2. Michel Hersen
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  3. Richard M. Eisler
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  4. Leonard H. Epstein
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  5. Laura S. Wooten
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Miller, P.M., Hersen, M., Eisler, R.M. et al. Relationship of Alcohol Cues to the Drinking Behavior of Alcoholics and Social Drinkers: An Analogue Study. Psychol Rec 24, 61–66 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394215

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394215

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