How Alcohol Influences First Impressions By Wendy Patrick Ph.D Jd

Key Points

• Alcohol can increase sensitivity to expressions of disgust and contempt.
• Alcohol might increase the positivity of personality expression but not the accuracy.
• Inaccurate personality expression disproves the notion that alcohol reveals the true self.

Alcohol and Emotion Recognition

I previously wrote about how alcohol impacts our ability to accurately read emotions, discussing research by Felisberti and Terry (2015) comparing the effect of alcohol on the ability to recognize microexpressions.
Alcohol consumption was found to increase sensitivity to expressions of disgust and contempt, which has implications for social behavior because a heightened sensitivity to expressions of contempt could increase the risk of alcohol-related aggression.

Cocktails and Conversation: Impact of Alcohol on Social Impressions

Edward Orehek et al. (2020) studied alcohol consumption in social settings due to the unique motivation to be perceived both positively and accurately. They found:

• Alcohol increased the positivity of personality expression by observers, but not the accuracy.
• Alcohol consumers were rated as more extraverted, less neurotic, less agreeable.
• Alcohol did not impact accuracy of personality impressions overall, disproving the notion that alcohol reveals the true self.
• The only significant effect on accuracy was that alcohol consumers were perceived less accurately on extraversion compared to placebo.

Risks of Overconsumption

• Overconsumption can lead to more negative social consequences.
• Impaired behavior may be recorded and used against individuals later.
• Positive short-term social rewards may encourage drinking patterns and risk of alcohol disorders.
• Negative consequences include examples like loss of life from impaired judgment and risk-taking.

Responsible Socializing Advice

Because perceptions of alcohol consumers were generally inaccurate:

• The best way to make a good first impression is intentional and genuine communication, not chemical influence.
• True personality emerges through conversation, not from alcohol.
• Socialize responsibly and ensure safe return home.

Read more on Fitness Hacks for Life

References

• [i] https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/why-bad-looks-good/202206/how….
• [ii] Felisberti, Fatima, and Philip Terry. 2015. “The Effects of Alcohol on the Recognition of Facial Expressions and Microexpressions of Emotion: Enhanced Recognition of Disgust and Contempt.” Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental 30 (5): 384–92.
• [iii] Study involved Waitrose vodka (37% ABV) paired with diet Schweppes Indian tonic water and Angostura Bitters.
• [iv] Orehek, Edward, et al. 2020. “Self-Expression While Drinking Alcohol: Alcohol Influences Personality Expression during First Impressions.” Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 46 (1): 109–23.