'Queasy Does It': False Alcohol Beliefs and Memories May Lead to Diminished Alcohol Preferences
Acta Psychologica, Vol. 143, 2013, pp. 14-19
7 Pages Posted: 16 Aug 2013
Date Written: January 30, 2013
Abstract
Studies have shown that false memories can be implanted via innocuous suggestions, and that these memories can play a role in shaping people's subsequent attitudes and preferences. The current study explored whether participants (N=147) who received a false suggestion that they had become ill drinking a particular type of alcohol would increase their confidence that the event had occurred, and whether their new-found belief would subsequently affect their alcohol preferences. Results indicated that participants who received a suggestion that they had gotten sick drinking rumor vodka before the age of 16 reported increased confidence that the suggested experience had occurred.Moreover, participants who received a false alcohol suggestion also showed a strong trend to report diminished preference for the specified type of alcohol after the false suggestion. Implantation of a false memory related to one's past drinking experiences may influence current drink preferences and could be an important avenue for further exploration in the development of alcohol interventions.
Keywords: False memories, Alcohol
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