Effects of Alcohol and Self-Awareness on Human Physical Aggression

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Abstract
The present study investigated the effect of self-awareness on the aggressive behavior of intoxicated subjects. Forty male undergraudates competed in a reaction-time task in which they could hurt and/or be hurt by their opponent. In the self-aware condition, subjects competed in the presence of a mirror and video camera. In the non-self-aware condition, the mirror and video camera were not present. Intoxicated and nonintoxicated subjects in the self-aware condition were less aggressive than subjects in the non-self-aware condition. This effect was observed on the initial trial and under conditions of increasing provocation. The results were discussed in terms of a cognitive disruption model of alcohol-related aggression.