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- Title
The stage-specific effect of alcohol on human information processing.
- Authors
Schweizer, Tom A.; Vogel-Sprott, M.; Dixon, Michael J.; Jolicoeur, Pierre
- Abstract
Rationale: Research on the limits of information processing shows that when a dual task is performed in quick succession, performance on the second task is increasingly degraded as the temporal gap between task 1 and task 2 decreases. The carry-over effect on task 2 is assumed to occur because the central cognitive stage of processing must be completed before the processing of task 2 can begin. This creates a bottleneck when the tasks are performed in close succession, but with longer delays task 2 is no longer affected by task 1. Objectives: It was predicted that if alcohol disturbs (slows) the central stage of processing, shorter delays between task 1 and task 2 should reveal more intense disruption in the performance of task 2. Methods: Two groups (n=16) of healthy male social drinkers performed a baseline test on a dual task. On each trial, task 1 was followed by task 2 at one of four delays (50, 200, 500, and 1100 ms). The groups then received either 0.65 g alcohol/kg or a placebo and performed the task again. Results: The RT of the alcohol and placebo groups did not differ on the baseline test. In accord with the hypothesis, the alcohol group performed task 2 more slowly on the treatment test than did the placebo group at the three shortest delays (P < 0.02). At the longest delay, the RT of the groups did not differ (P& gt; 0.15). Conclusions: This pattern of task 2 RTs indicates that a moderate dose of alcohol can significantly impair (slow) the central, cognitive stage of information processing.
- Subjects
ALCOHOL; HUMAN information processing; PHARMACODYNAMICS; SUBSTANCE abuse; REASONING
- Publication
Psychopharmacology, 2005, Vol 178, Issue 1, p52
- ISSN
0033-3158
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00213-004-1972-x