The Relationship Between Induced Behavioural Aggression and Mood after the Consumption of Two Doses of Alcohol

Alcohol in two doses (0.75 g/kg and 0.25 g/kg) and a placebo were administered to three matched groups of subjects. A range of measures including self-ratings, body sway and breath alcohol concentration was taken before and at 30-min intervals up to 2 h after intake. At I k after the drink the subjects performed a competitive reaction time task which elicits hostility that can be measured behaviourally and on self-ratings. It was found that subjects on alcohol responded more aggressively but rated themselves as less angry compared to subjects on placebo. Alcohol had positive dose-related mood effects. Body sway and bodily symptoms were increased by the high dose and decreased by the low dose.