Citation

MacDonald G, Zanna MP, Holmes JG. J. Exp. Soc. Psychol. 2000; 36(2): 182-193.

Affiliation

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1006/jesp.1999.1412

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The authors argue for a causal role of alcohol in exacerbating relationship conflict. Participants, after nominating a conflict in their romantic relationships, were assigned to a sober, placebo, or intoxicated condition and were then asked to evaluate the conflict they had previously nominated. Intoxicated participants reported more negative emotion surrounding the conflict and more negative perceptions of their partners' feelings. Consistent with Murray and Holmes' Dependency-Regulation Theory, intoxicated low self-esteem participants reported more insecurity in their partners' affections as a result of the conflict and blamed their partners more for the conflict incident. The implications for the relation between alcohol and violence in relationships are discussed.