In balanced-placebo experiments with drinkers who meet the criteria of alcohol dependence, if they are given a beverage that they are led to believe has no alcohol, but that actually does have a small amount of alcohol in it, what will they do?
A) Start to drink more and more of the beverage until they "lose control."
B) Report feeling intoxicated, even at BACs too low to detect.
C) Do not report intoxication and do not increase their drinking.
D) They can detect any amount of alcohol, when normal drinkers cannot.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In balanced-placebo experiments, participants' expectations about alcohol consumption play a significant role. If they believe they are consuming a non-alcoholic beverage, they are less likely to report intoxication or increase their drinking, even if the beverage contains a small amount of alcohol.

In Balanced-Placebo Experiments with Drinkers Who Meet the Criteria of Alcohol