Skip to main content
Log in

The interactive effects of alcohol and mood on dual-task performance

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Psychopharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The interactive effects of mood induction and alcohol consumption were examined in a combined visual digit detection and tracking task. Although tracking ability was independently sensitive to both time on task and alcohol, no interaction between alcohol and mood was observed. However, correct reaction times on the digit detection task were sensitive to such interactive effects. Those individuals who both consumed alcohol and watched a descriptive film performed worse on this part of the task throughout the session compared to those who watched a humorous film and did not take alcohol. Correlational analyses between performance on the tracking and digit detection tasks do not necessarily support the contention that alcohol may serve to disrupt the operation of a time-sharing process.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bakan P (1959) Extraversion-introversion and improvement in an auditory vigilance task. Br J Psychol 68:156–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Colquhoun WP (1962) Effets, d'une faible dose d'alcool et certains autres facteurs sur la performance dans une tache de vigilance. Pull Cent Etud Rech Psycho-Tech 11:27–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Doctor RF, Naitoh P, Smith JC (1966) Electroencephalographic changes and vigilance behaviour during experimentally induced intoxication with alcoholic subjects. Psychosom Med 28:605–615

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouaux C (1971) Induced affective states and interpersonal attraction. J Pers Soc Psychol 20:37–43

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gruner P, Alkohol und Aufmerksamkeit (1955) Ihre Bedeutung im motorisierten Verkehr. Dtsch Z Ges Gerichtl Med 44:187–195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gruner O (1963) Störungen der Aufmerksamkeit bei niedrigen Alkoholkonzentrationen. Hefte Unfallheilk 77:258–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Gruner O, Ludwig O, Domer H (1964) Zur Abhängigkeit alkoholbedingter Aufmerksamkeitsstörungen vom Blutalkoholwert bei niedrigen Konzentrationen. Blutalkohol 2:445–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine JM, Kramer GG, Levine EN (1975) Effects of alcohol on human performance: an integration of research findings based on an abilities classification. J Appl Psychol 60:285–293

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lindman R, Taxell B (1976) The effects of alcohol and threat induced stress on mood and psychophysiological functions. Psykologiska Rapporter 6:1–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Moskovitz H, Depry D (1968) Differential effect of alcohol on auditory vigilance and divided attention tasks. QJ Stud Alc 29:54–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Persson LO, Sjoberg L, Svensson E (1980) Mood effects of alcohol. Psychopharmacology 68:295–299

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Talland GA (1966) Effects of alcohol on performance in continuous attention tasks. Psychosom Med 28:596–604

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Miles, C., Porter, K. & Jones, D.M. The interactive effects of alcohol and mood on dual-task performance. Psychopharmacology 89, 432–435 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02412116

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02412116

Key words

Navigation