Biphasic Effects of Acute Alcohol Intoxication on Bystander Intervention

Biphasic Effects of Acute Alcohol Intoxication on Bystander Intervention for Sexual Violence

The goal of this experimental study is to examine the effect of alcohol, gender, and bystander attitudes on bystander barriers and sexual violence intervention among young adult men and women (age 21-20). The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does alcohol intoxication and gender influence bystander barriers and sexual violence intervention?
• Does alcohol intoxication have a greater impact on bystander barriers and sexual violence intervention among men, compared to women?
• Does alcohol intoxication have a greater impact on bystander barriers and sexual violence intervention among those with higher, compared to lower, prosocial bystander attitudes?

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two beverage conditions (alcohol or control beverage) and those assigned to alcohol will complete the study on either the ascending or descending alcohol limb. Participants will project themselves into a heat-of-the moment, risky sexual violence scenario that will assess bystander barriers and behavioral intentions. Researchers will compare those assigned to the alcohol and control beverage condition and men/women to see if this impacts bystander barriers and sexual violence intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between the ages of 21 and 30
• Report that on at least 3 days in the past year they have consumed an alcohol quantity on a single occasion that was equal or greater to the dose administered in the lab

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently seeking treatment or in recovery for an alcohol or substance use disorder
• A medical condition or medication use in which alcohol consumption is medically contraindicated
• Pregnant, nursing, or has engaged in sexual intercourse without effective contraception in the past two weeks
• If the participant is less than six feet tall and weighs over 250 pounds or is over six feet tall and weighs over 300 pounds