Alcohol as a Depressant in Psychological Conflict in Rats

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the effect of alcohol on an approach-avoidance conflict in an open field using hungry male albino rats. Rats injected with alcohol manifested significantly more fear as measured by defecation, more random activity, and less efficiency in conflict resolution than did rats injected with water. These results tend to refute the theory that alcohol specifically depresses inhibitions resulting from fear and suggest a theory of depression of perceptual and organizational processes associated with various drives as more appropriate.