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The elaborated intrusion (EI) theory of desire is a cognitive model that describes the processes involved in craving as intrusive thoughts that are elaborated upon leading to dissonance when desires are not met. While the theory is based on a wide body of research, certain theoretical predictions have not been fully examined. Specifically, EI theory argues that mental imagery has a central role in craving, and predicts that attempts to suppress substance-related intrusive thoughts and mental imagery is related to increased craving. Further, EI theory suggests that elaboration of craving imagery is related to attention and working memory processes, however, there are questions about whether differential performance in these domains is related to craving. The current study examined the relationship between attention/working memory performance and alcohol craving in a sample of 119 young adult males. Additionally, metacognition was examined to clarify the phenomenological aspects of craving within EI theory. Attention and working memory performance did not significantly predict intrusive thought and mental imagery elaboration. Individuals with high craving reported significantly higher levels of anxiety, thought suppression, and greater strength and frequency of craving-related mental imagery. They were also more likely to try to control their own thoughts and make negative judgments on their ability to do so. The strength of craving-related intrusive thoughts, not mental imagery, was the most significant predictor of craving. Implications for the understanding of craving and treatment recommendations based on the findings are discussed.

Note:

Note:

The current study was based on MacQuoid and Jacquin’s (2011) study of juror bias in rape trials, except that an additional level of alcohol consumption was utilized in examining mock juror verdicts. Specifically, this study examined the influence of complainant alcohol consumption and defendant alcohol consumption on the opinions of mock jurors after deliberation (N = 527). Defendant alcohol consumption did not impact mock juror responsibility attributions of guilt ratings before of after deliberation. However, complainant alcohol consumption significantly impacted mock juror opinions before and after group deliberation. Complainants who were buzzed at the time of the alleged rape were viewed are more responsible for the rape than those who were intoxicated or sober. Defendants were viewed as more responsible when the complainant was intoxicated at the time of the alleged rape. The results indicate that juror biases are not an issue in today’s court.

Despite modest reductions over previous decades, improvements in impaired driving prevalence have stalled at problematic levels in recent years. Recent self-report data indicate that 20 percent of driving age individuals acknowledge operating a vehicle within two hours of alcohol consumption within the previous year and there are approximately 121 million episodes of impaired driving annually. Extant research has consistently identified specific subgroups, including men, young adults, and individuals with less education, as being high risk for driving under the influence. Additionally, researchers of impaired driving have discerned certain impaired driving-related attitudes and behaviors as important predictors of impaired driving. Despite a large and growing base of literature, impaired driving research has been notably atheoretical and restricted by samples limited to specific ages or geographic regions. Regardless of the prevalence of impaired driving episodes, the likelihood of apprehension for DUI remains low and little is known about how offenders respond to an impaired driving arrest. I address these limitations in the current study. Using nationally representative data from the National Survey of Drinking and Driving Attitudes and Behaviors, I consider the role of cognitive and behavioral predictors as mediating the association between key socio-structural indicators and impaired driving. To consider how individuals respond to DUI arrests, I performed an extensive qualitative content analysis on 627 DUI narratives from reddit (i.e., an online social forum) to consider how the arrest affects individuals apprehended for driving under the influence. Path analyses provide further support for previous studies, with men and young adults more likely to self-report impaired driving compared to females and older reference groups. Further, analyses indicate this increased likelihood of impaired driving by men and young adults was explained in part by differences in monthly alcohol consumption, binge drinking, supportive social networks, and more positive assessments of impaired driving. Analyses of DUI offenders indicate a stigmatizing effect of the DUI arrest, where offenders strategically attempt to deflect culpability for their role in attempts to minimize the range of perceived negative consequences. Overall, theoretical considerations and findings provide additional insight and areas of exploration for researchers and practitioners tasked with DUI mitigation efforts.

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