POSTDRINKING SEXUAL INFERENCES - EVIDENCE FOR LINEAR RATHER THAN CURVILINEAR DOSAGE EFFECTS

Observers infer more sexual availability and willingness from a drinki ng dater. We hypothesized that, as dosage rises, these sexual inferenc es follow a linear pattern. College participants rated a woman (Study 1) and man (Study 2) exhibiting a sober, moderate, or high level of in toxication while with a light-drinking companion. Alcohol was perceive d as having linear effects on sexual availability; and, except for mal e participants in Study 2, alcohol was perceived as having linear effe cts on willingness. Thus, with rising intoxication and diminished capa city for arousal, drinkers are perceived as more available and willing . Findings are discussed relative to expectancy models of sexuality. R easons for desynchrony between alcohol's actual supression of sexual a rousal and its perceived enhancement of willingness are presented.