Gender and alcohol-related expectancies for self and others

Abstract

Gender differences in alcohol expectancies for self and male or female others were investigated. A total of 121 female and male undergraduates completed the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (AEQ) and a questionnaire that examined their beliefs about the effects of drinking on men and women. The subjects then rated on 12 scales same or opposite sex individuals taking part in a videotaped social interaction. The subjects' beliefs about how much alcohol the person they were rating had chosen to drink before taking part in the interaction was manipulated. It was found that only on the Arousal and Aggression scale of the AEQ did the male and female subjects rate themselves differently. It was also found that both male and female subjects expected men to become more aggressive, and women more sexually responsive, after drinking. The videotape ratings showed that individuals do hold different expectancies for others who have been drinking and that these influence how that person is evaluated. The findings are discussed in relation to self‐other bias and gender‐related expectations.