@article{ref1,
title="Perceptual generalization of alcohol-related value characterizes risky drinkers",
journal="Psychological science",
year="2023",
author="Kang, Sanghoon and Larrabee, Grace and Nair, Sanya and Goldfarb, Elizabeth V.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="Generalizing from past experiences to novel situations is critical for adaptive behavior, whereas overgeneralization can promote maladaptive responses (e.g., context-inappropriate fear in anxiety). Here, we propose that overgeneralizing alcohol-related associations characterizes risky drinking. We conducted two online experiments assessing generalization of alcohol-related gains (Study 1) and losses (Study 2) among individuals who engaged in light or risky patterns of drinking (Study 1: N = 88, 24-44 years old; Study 2: N = 87, 21-44 years old). After learning to associate cards with alcohol and non-alcohol-related outcomes, participants chose whether to play with cards varying in perceptual similarity to those shown during conditioning. Finally, participants completed a surprise recognition memory test for all outcomes. Although both groups showed comparable conditioning, we found that risky drinkers overgeneralized alcohol-related gains and losses. Risky drinkers also showed a bias toward recognizing alcohol-related images. These results indicate a novel role for overgeneralization of alcohol-related gains and losses as a mechanism associated with risky drinking.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0956-7976",
doi="10.1177/09567976231181516",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/09567976231181516"
}