Experimental evidence that alcohol intoxication diminishes the inhibitory effect of self-control on reactive aggression.

Objectives: Past research has investigated factors that condition the association between self-control and antisocial behavior. Absent from consideration has been the possible moderating effect of alcohol intoxication. Methods: Using a placebo-controlled experimental design, we explore whether alcohol intoxication moderates the association between self-control and two vignette-based measures of reactive aggression. Results: Self-control is negatively associated with reactive aggression among sober participants, but the association is no different from zero among participants assigned to intoxicated and placebo conditions. For the vignette revealing stronger evidence of a moderating effect of alcohol intoxication, the negative effect of self-control on reactive aggression becomes non-significant starting at a breath alcohol concentration that amounts to approximately one alcoholic beverage. Conclusions: This study provides initial evidence that alcohol intoxication diminishes the association between self-control and reactive aggression, adding to existing research focused on factors that condition the association between self-control and antisocial behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]