Circumstances when drinking leads to aggression: an overview of research findings

APA (1982). Ethical principles in the conduct of research with human participants. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Babor T. Berglas S. Mendelson J. Ellingboe J. & Miller K. (1983). Alcohol, affect, and the disinhibition of verbal behavior. Psychopharmacology, 80, 53-60.

Bailey D. S. & Taylor S. P. (1991). Effects of alcohol and aggressive disposition on human physical aggression. Journal of Research in Personality, 25, 334-342.

Baldwin J. J. & Randolph D. L . (1982). The effects of a provocation on aggression for three types of alcohol users. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 38, 439-444.

Bennett R. Buss A. & Carpenter J. (1969). Alcohol and human physical aggression. Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 30, 870-876.

Bland R. & Orn H. (1986). Family violence and psychiatric disorder. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 31, 129-137.

Bond A. & Lader M. (1986). The relationship between induced behavioral aggression and mood after the consumption of two doses of alcohol. British Journal of Addiction, 81, 65-75.

Bond A.J. & Silveira J. C . (1993). The combination of alprazolam and alcohol on behavioral aggression. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Supplement 11, 30-39.

Boyatzis R. E . (1974). The effect of alcohol consumption on the aggressive behavior of men. Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 35, 959-972.

Boyatzis R. E . (1975). The predisposition toward alcohol-related interpersonal aggression in men. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 36, 1196-1207.

Brown S. Goldman M. Inn A. & Anderson L. (1980). Expectations of reinforcement from alcohol: Their domain and relation to drinking patterns. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 48, 419-426.

Bruun K. (1959). Significance of role and norms in the small group for individual behavioral changes while drinking. Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 20, 53-64.

Bushman B. J. & Cooper H. M. (1990). Effects of alcohol on human aggression: An integrative research review. Psychological Bulletin, 107, 341-354.

Buydens-Branchey L. Branchey M. H. & Noumair D. (1989). Age of alcoholism onset: Relationship to psychopathology. Archives of General Psychiatry, 46, 225-230.

Caces M.F. Stinson F.S. & Harford T. C . (1991). Alcohol use and risky behavior among adolescents. Alcohol Health and Research World, 15(3), 228-233.

Cherek D.R. Steinberg J.L. & Manno B. R . (1985). Effects of alcohol on human aggressive behavior. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 46, 321-328.

Chermack S.T. & Taylor S. P . (1995). Alcohol and human physical aggression: Pharmacological versus expectancy effects. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 56, 449-456.

Choquet M. Menke H. & Manfredi R. (1991). Interpersonal aggressive behavior and alcohol consumption among young urban adolescents in France. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 26, 381-390.

Christiansen B.A. & Teahan J. E . (1987). Cross-cultural comparisons of Irish and American adolescent drinking practices and beliefs. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 48, 558-563.

Collins J.J. & Schlenger W. E . (1988). Acute and chronic effects of alcohol use on violence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 49, 516-521.

Crawford A. (1984a). Alcohol and expectancy I. Perceived sex differences in the effects of drinking. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 19, 63-69.

Crawford A. (1984b). Alcohol and expectancy II. Perceived sex differences in the role of alcohol as a source of aggression. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 19, 71-75.

Dermen K.H. & George W. H . (1988). Alcohol expectancy and the relationship between drinking and physical aggression. Journal of Psychology, 123, 153-161.

Fagan R.W. Barnett O.W. & Patton J.B. (1988). Reasons for alcohol use in maritally violent men. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 14, 371-392.

Fishbein D.H. Jaffe J. H. Snyder F. R. Haertzen C. A. & Hickey J. E. (1993). Drug users’ self-reports of behaviors and affective states under the influence of alcohol. International Journal of the Addictions, 28, 1565-1585.

Gantner A.B. & Taylor S. P . (1992). Human physical aggression as a function of alcohol and threat of harm. Aggressive Behavior, 18, 29-36.

George W.H. & Marlatt G. A . (1986). The effects of alcohol and anger on interest in violence, erotica and deviance. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95, 150-158.

George W.H. Dermen K.H. & Nochajski T. H . (1989). Expectancy set, self-reported expectancies and predispositional traits: Predicting interest in violence and erotica. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 50, 541-551.

Gergen M. (1990). Beyond the evil empire: Horseplay and aggression. Aggressive Behavior, 16, 381-398.

Gerson L. & Preston D. (1979). Alcohol consumption and the incidence of violent crime. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 40, 307-312.

Giancola P.R. & Zeichner A. (1995). Alcohol-related aggression in males and females: Effects of blood alcohol concentration, subjective intoxication, personality, and provocation. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 19, 130-134.

Gottfredson M.R. & Hirschi T. (1993). A control theory interpretation of psychological research on aggression. In Felson R.B. & Tedeschi J.T. (eds.), Aggression and Violence: Social Interactionist Perspectives. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Graham K. (1985). Determinants of heavy drinking and drinking problems: The contribution of the bar environment. In Public drinking and public policy. Toronto, Canada: Addiction Research Foundation.

Graham K. LaRocque L. Yetman R. Ross T.J. & Guistra E. (1980). Aggression and barroom environments. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 41, 277-292.

Graham K. & Turnbull W. (April 1978). Alcohol and aggression: A field study. Paper presented at a meeting of the Western Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.

Gustafson R. (1984). Alcohol, frustration, and direct physical aggression: A methodological point of view. Psychological Reports, 55, 959-966.

Gustafson R. (1985a). Frustration as an important determinant of alcohol-related aggression. Psychological Reports, 57, 3-14.

Gustafson R. (1985b). Alcohol-related aggression: A further study of the importance of frustration. Psychological Reports, 57, 683-697.

Gustafson R. (1985c). Alcohol and aggression: Pharmacological versus expectancy effects. Psychological Reports, 57, 955-966.

Gustafson R. (1986a). Threat as a determinant of alcohol-related aggression. Psychological Reports, 58, 287-297.

Gustafson R. (1986b). A possible confounding variable in different versions of the “aggression machine” when used in research on alcohol. Psychological Reports, 58, 303-308.

Gustafson R. (1986c). Alcohol, aggression and the validity of experimental paradigms with women. Psychological Reports, 59, 51-56.

Gustafson R. (1986d). Alcohol, frustration and aggression: An experiment using the balanced placebo design. Psychological Reports, 59, 207-218.

Gustafson R. (1987a). Lack of correspondence between alcohol-related aggressive expectancies for self and others. Psychological Reports, 60, 707-710.

Gustafson R. (1987b). Alcohol and aggression: A test of an indirect measure of aggression. Psychological Reports, 60, 1241-1242.

Gustafson R. (1987c). Alcohol and human physical aggression: An experiment using a “backward” balanced placebo design. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 2, 135-144.

Gustafson R. (1988a). Beer intoxication and physical aggression in males. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 21, 237-242.

Gustafson R. (1988b). Effects of beer and wine on male aggression as measured by a paper-and-pen test. Psychological Reports, 62, 795-798.

Gustafson R. (1989). Alcohol and the validation of experimental aggression paradigms: The Taylor reaction time procedure. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 23, 49-54.

Gustafson R. (1990). Wine and male physical aggression. Journal of Drug Issues, 20, 75-86.

Gustafson R. (1991a). Aggressive and nonaggressive behavior as a function of alcohol intoxication and frustration in women. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 15, 886-892.

Gustafson R. (1991b). Male physical aggression as a function of alcohol, frustration, and subjective mood. International Journal of the Addictions, 26, 255-266.

Gustafson R. (1991c). Male physical aggression as a function of alcohol intoxication and frustration: Experimental results and methodological considerations. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 15, 158-164.

Gustafson R. (1992). Alcohol and aggression: A replication study controlling for potential confounding variables. Aggressive Behavior, 18, 21-28.

Gustafson R. (1993). What do experimental paradigms tell us about alcohol-related aggressive responding? Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Supplement No. 11, 20-29.

Homel R. & Clark J. (and 23 others) (1994). The prediction and prevention of violence in pubs and clubs. Crime Prevention Studies, 3, 1-46.

Homel R. Hauritz M. Wortley R. Clark J. & Carvolth R. (1994). The impact of the Surfers Paradise safety action project. Key findings of the evaluation. Queensland, Australia: Griffith University Centre for Crime Policy and Public Safety.

Homel R. Tomsen S. & Thommeny J. (1992). Public drinking and violence: Not just an alcohol problem. Journal of Drug Issues, 22 (3), 679-697.

Hunt G. & Joe K. (1995). “Drinking, kickin’ back and gang banging”: Alcohol, violence and street gangs. Paper presented at the 21st annual meeting of the Kettil Bruun Society for Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol, Porto, Portugal.

Isaacs M. (1977). Stereotyping by children of the effects of drinking on adults. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 38, 913-921.

Isaacs M. (1979). College students’ expectations of the results of drinking. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 40, 476-479.

Kantor G.K. & Straus M. A. (1987). The “drunken bum” theory of wife beating. Social Problems, 34, 213-230.

Kantor G.K. & Straus M. A. (1989). Substance abuse as a precipitant of wife abuse victimizations. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 15, 173-189.

Kelly T.H. Cherek D.R. & Steinberg J. L. (1989). Concurrent reinforcement and alcohol: Interactive effects on human aggressive behavior. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 50, 399-405.

Kelly T.H. Cherek D.R. Steinberg J.L. & Robinson D. (1988). Effects of provocation and alcohol on human aggressive behavior. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 21, 105-112.

Klein H. & Pittman D. J. (1990). Perceived consequences associated with the use of beer, wine, distilled spirits, and wine coolers. International Journal of the Addictions, 25, 471-493.

Klinteberg B. Andersson T. Magnusson D. & Stattin H. (1993). Hyperactive behavior in childhood as related to subsequent alcohol problems and violent offending: A longitudinal study of male subjects. Personality and Individual Differences, 15, 381-388.

Kreutzer J.S. Schneider H.G. & Myatt C. R. (1984). Alcohol, aggression and assertiveness in men: Dosage and expectancy effects. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 45, 275-278.

Lang A.R. Goeckner D.J. Adesso V.J. & Marlatt G. A. (1975). Effects of alcohol on aggression in male social drinkers. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 5, 508-518.

Laplace A.C. Chermack S.T. & Taylor S. P. (1994). Effects of alcohol and drinking experience on human physical aggression. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 20, 439-444.

Lau M.A. Pihl R.O. & Peterson J. B. (1995). Provocation, acute alcohol intoxication, cognitive performance, and aggression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1, 150-155.

Leigh B. C. (1987). Beliefs about the effects of alcohol on self and others. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 48, 467-475.

Leonard K. E. (1984). Alcohol consumption and escalatory aggression in intoxicated and sober dyads. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 45, 75-80.

Leonard K.E. & Blane H. T. (1988). Alcohol expectancies and personality characteristics in young men. Addictive Behaviors: An International Journal, 13, 353-357.

Leonard K. Bromet E. Parkinson D. Day N. & Ryan C. (1985). Patterns of alcohol use and physically aggressive behavior in men. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 46, 279-283.

Leonard K. & Senchak M. (1993). Alcohol and premarital aggression among newlywed couples. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Supplement 11, 96-108.

Leibsohn M.T. Oetting E.R. & Deffenbacher J. L. (1994). Effects of trait anger on alcohol consumption and consequences. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 3, 17-32.

Lindman R. Jarvinen P. & Vidjeskog J. (1987). Verbal interactions of aggressively and nonaggressively predisposed males in a drinking situation. Aggressive Behavior, 13, 187-196.

Lindman R.E. & Lang A. R. (1994). The alcohol–aggression stereotype: A cross-cultural comparison of beliefs. International Journal of the Addictions, 29, 1-13.

Lindqvist P. (1991). Homicides committed by abusers of alcohol and illicit drugs. British Journal of Addiction, 86, 321-326.

Livingston L. R. (1986). Measuring domestic violence in an alcoholic population. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 13, 934-954.

MacAndrew C. & Edgerton R. B. (1969). Drunken Comportment: A Social Explanation. Chicago: Aldine.

Marsh P. & Kibby K. (1992). Drinking and Public Disorder. Oxford: Alden Press.

Mayfield D. (1976). Alcoholism, alcohol, intoxication and assaultive behavior. Diseases of the Nervous System, 3, 288-291.

Miller B. Downs W. & Gondoli D. (1989). Spousal violence among alcoholic women as compared to a random household sample of women. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 50, 533-540.

Muehlenhard C. & Linton M. (1987). Date rape and sexual aggression in dating situations: Incidence and risk factors. Journal of Counselling Psychology, 34, 186-196.

Murdoch D. & Pihl R. O. (1985). Alcohol and aggression in a group interaction. Addictive Behaviors: An International Journal, 10, 97-101.

Murdoch D.D. Pihl R.O. & Ross D. (1988). The influence of dose, beverage type, and sex of interactor on female bar patrons’ verbal aggression. International Journal of the Addictions, 23, 953-966.

Myers T. (1986). An analysis of context and alcohol consumption in a group of criminal events. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 21, 389-395.

Norris J. & Kerr K. L. (1993). Alcohol and violent pornography: Response to permissive and nonpermissive cues. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Supplement 11, 118-127.

Pan H.S. Neidig P.H. & O'Leary K. D. (1994). Predicting mild and severe husband-to-wife physical aggression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 5, 975-981.

Pernanen K. (1976). Alcohol and crimes of violence. In Kissin B. & Begleiter H. (eds.), The Biology of Alcoholism (pp. 351-444). New York: Plenum Press.

Pernanen K. (1991). Alcohol in Human Violence. New York: The Guilford Press.

Pihl R.O. Smith M. & Farrell B. (1984). Alcohol and aggression in men: A comparison of brewed and distilled beverages. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 45, 278-282.

Pihl R.O. Zeichner A. Niaura R. Nagy K. & Zacchia C. (1981). Attribution and alcohol-mediated aggression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 5, 468-475.

Prus R. (1978). From barrooms to bedrooms: Towards a theory of interpersonal violence. In Beyer M. (ed.), Violence in Canada (pp. 51-73). Toronto: Gammon.

Pulkkinen L. & Pitkanen T. (1993). Continuities in aggressive behavior from childhood to adulthood. Aggressive Behavior, 19, 249-263.

Rohsenow D. J. (1983). Drinking habits and expectancies about alcohol's effects for self versus others. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51, 752-756.

Rohsenow D. & Bachorowski J. (1984). Effects of alcohol and expectancies on verbal aggression in men and women. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 93, 418-432.

Rohsenow D.J. & Marlatt G. A. (1981). The balanced placebo design: Methodological considerations. Addictive Behaviors: An International Journal, 6, 107-122.

Sayette M.A. Wilson T. & Elias M. J. (1993). Alcohol and aggression: A social information processing analysis. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 54 (4), 399-407.

Schmutte G. Leonard K. & Taylor S. (1979). Alcohol and expectations of attack. Psychological Reports, 45, 163-167.

Schmutte G. & Taylor S. (1980). Physical aggression as a function of alcohol and pain feedback. Journal of Social Psychology, 110, 235-244.

Scoufis P. & Walker M. (1982). Heavy drinking and the need for power. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 43, 1010-1019.

Shuntich R. & Taylor S. (1972). The effects of alcohol on human physical aggression. Journal of Experimental Research in Personality, 6, 34-38.

Smith R. Parker E. & Noble E. (1975). Alcohol and affect in dyadic social interaction. Psychosomatic Medicine, 37, 25-40.

Stith S.M. Crossman R.K. & Bischof G. P. (1991). Alcoholism and marital violence: A comparative study of men in alcohol treatment programs and batterer treatment programs. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 8, 3-20.

Stockwell T. Lang E. & Rydon P. (1993). High risk drinking settings: The association of serving and promotional practices with harmful drinking. Addiction, 88, 1519-1526.

Straus M.A. & Sweet S. (1992). Verbal/symbolic aggression in couples: Incidence rates and relationships to personal characteristics. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 54, 346-357.

Takala M. Pihkanen T.A. & Markkanen T. (1957). The Effects of Distilled and Brewed Beverages: A Physiological, Neurological and Psychological Study. Helsinki: Finnish Foundation for Alcohol Studies (cited in Bruun, 1959).

Taylor S. & Gammon C. (1975). Effects of type and dose of alcohol on human physical aggression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 32, 169-175.

Taylor S. & Gammon C. (1976). Aggressive behavior of intoxicated subjects: The effect of third-party intervention. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 37, 917-930.

Taylor S. Gammon C. & Capasso D. (1976). Aggression as a function of the interaction of alcohol and threat. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34, 938-941.

Taylor S. Schmutte G. & Leonard K. (1977). Physical aggression as a function of alcohol and frustration. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 9, 217-218.

Taylor S. Vardaris R. Rawtich A. Gammon C. Cranston J. & Lubetkin A. (1976). The effects of alcohol and Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on human physical aggression. Aggressive Behaviour, 2, 153-161.

Teahan J. E. (1988). Alcohol expectancies of Irish and Canadian alcoholics. International Journal of the Addictions, 23, 1057-1070.

Virkkunen M. (1974). Alcohol as a factor precipitating aggression and conflict behaviour leading to homicide. British Journal of Addiction, 69, 149-154.

Weisman A.M. & Taylor S. P. (1993). Effect of alcohol and risk of physical harm on human physical aggression. The Journal of General Psychology, 121, 67-76.

Welte J.W. & Miller B. A. (1987). Alcohol use by violent and property offenders. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 19, 313-324.

White H.R. Brick J. & Hansell S. (1993). A longitudinal investigation of alcohol use and aggression in adolescence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Supplement No. 11, 62-76.

White H.R. Hansell S. & Brick J. (1993). Alcohol use and aggression among youth. Alcohol Health and Research World, 2, 144-150.

Wiley J.A. & Weisner C. (1995). Drinking in violent and nonviolent events leading to arrest: Evidence from a survey of arrestees. Journal of Criminal Justice, 23 (5), 461-476.

Williams J.S. & Singh B. K. (1986). Alcohol use and antisocial experiences. Advances in Alcohol and Substance Abuse, 6, 65-75.

Zeichner A. Allen J.D. Giancola P.R. & Lating J. M. (1994). Alcohol and aggression: Effects of personal threat on human aggression and affective arousal. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 18, 657-663.

Zeichner A. & Pihl R. (1979). Effects of alcohol and behavior contingencies on human aggression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 88, 153-160.

Zeichner A. & Pihl R. O. (1980). Effects of alcohol and instigator intent on human aggression. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 41, 265-276.

Zeichner A. Pihl R.O. Niaura R. & Zacchia C. (1982). Attentional processes in alcohol-mediated aggression. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 43, 714-724.