Alcohol increases reliance on cues that signal acts of control

This study examined the effects of alcohol on the ability to execute and inhibit behavior in a context in which preliminary information signaled the likelihood that a response should be executed or suppressed. Adults (N = 24) performed a cued go/no-go task that required quick responses to go targets and suppression of responses to no-go targets. Cue dependency was manipulated by varying the predictive validity of the cues, and performance was tested under 3 doses of alcohol: 0.00 g/kg, 0.45 g/kg, and 0.65 g/kg. Dose-dependent increases in cue dependence were only observed with highly predictive cues. Results suggest that alcohol-induced increases in stimulus control over behavior might be most likely in situations when stimulus control over behavior has already been established.