Aggression as a function of the interaction of alcohol and threat

40 intoxicated and nonintoxicated male undergraduates competed in a reaction time situation against either a potentially threatening opponent or a nonthreatening opponent. Results indicate that the intoxicated Ss initiated higher levels of attack than the nonintoxicated Ss only in the threatening situation. It is concluded that aggression is not just a consequence of the pharmacological action of alcohol. Instead, alcohol-induced aggression appears to be a function of the interaction of alcohol consumption and the degree of threat or provocation inherent in a particular situation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).