Assessing variation in alcohol outcome expectancies across environmental context: An examination of the situational-specificity hypothesis

Using an in vivo manipulation, this study examined whether alcohol outcome expectancies (AOEs) vary across environmental settings. Two hundred twenty- one undergraduates were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 conditions in which env ironmental context tan on-campus bar vs. a laboratory) and instructed phase of intoxication ("just enough to begin to feel intoxicated" vs. "too much to drink") were manipulated. AOEs were assessed with a revised version of t he Effects of Alcohol Scale CL. Southwick, C. Steele, A. Marlatt,& M. Linde ll, 1981). Compared with participants tested in the laboratory, individuals exposed to the on-campus bar expected greater alcohol-related stimulation/ perceived dominance and pleasurable disinhibition. Women expected more beha vioral impairment during the latter stage of intoxication. These findings h ighlight the importance of ecologically valid research in this area, as wel l. as cue-exposure assessment and treatment approaches.