Work

Effects of alcohol on emotion recognition: An alcohol-administration trial.

Year: 2026

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Alcohol consumption is widely recognized for its complex effects on social behavior, simultaneously fostering social connections in some individuals while heightening aggression in others. However, the underlying mechanisms for this effect, including emotion recognition, remain disputed among researchers. This study examined how alcohol influences the accuracy of emotion recognition, with particular attention to sex differences. METHOD: = 23; 48.97% White) were randomly assigned to either an alcohol (targeting a breath alcohol concentration of 0.08%) or control condition. They were assessed using the shortened version of the Geneva Emotion Recognition Test which evaluates recognition of 14 emotions through dynamic videos. RESULTS: = 0.123. Regarding individual emotions, alcohol significantly impaired the recognition of anger and irritation across both sexes, and specifically impaired interest, pride, and relief among male participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that alcohol impairs the ability to interpret emotional expressions, with potential implications for impaired social interactions and heightened aggression. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Psychology of Addictive Behaviors

DOI: 10.1037/adb0001178

Authors: Annis Byram, Silvia Murgia, Alexa Boland, Catharine E. Fairbairn

Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Institutes of Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism