EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT DURING THE INCUBATION PHASE OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS

The present study examined whether or not acute alcohol intoxication i nhibits or facilitates the incubation phase of Wallas' (1926/1970) fou r-stage model of creativity. Sixty male and female participants were r andomly assigned to three groups of equal size: a Control group, a Pla cebo group and an Alcohol group (alcohol dose: 1.0 ml of 100% alcohol/ kg body weight, delivered on two occasions). It was shown that the Alc ohol group produced significantly more incubations and significantly h igher levels of originality. No differences between groups regarding t he scientific value of the products were obtained. Possible consequenc es of alcohol intoxication for creative production are discussed and a theoretical framework is introduced.