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Date Available

10-19-2026

Year of Publication

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

College

Arts and Sciences

Department/School/Program

Psychology

Faculty

Mark Fillmore

Michael Bardo

Abstract

Alcohol tolerance is defined as a diminished response to the drug owing to repeated alcohol exposures. However, drinkers can compensate for alcohol impairment, particularly when they expect to be impaired in the situation. However, the ability to compensate might depend on the behavior impaired by alcohol and the general tolerance already acquired by the drinker. This study tested the degree to which expecting alcohol impairment would reduce alcohol’s impairing effect on reaction time (RT) and fine motor control in those with heavy and light drinking histories. Light drinkers (n=26) and heavy drinkers (n=28) received a 0.65 g/kg alcohol and performed a RT and fine motor task. Half of each group were led to expect alcohol impairment by receiving performance feedback showing alcohol was impairing them. The other half received no feedback. Results showed heavy, but not light drinkers, resisted alcohol impairment of their RT but only when given feedback. Neither heavy nor light drinkers resisted impairment of their fine motor control, even when given feedback. Findings suggest that some drinkers can resist disruptive effects of alcohol on some behaviors when impairment is expected, but this effect might be limited to simple behaviors and those with histories of heavier alcohol use.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2026.458

Archival?

Archival

1st Funding Information

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Impaired Risk Awareness during Intoxication in DUI Offenders

AA028447

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