Victoria AdolphusA recent study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs has shed light on the connection between alcohol consumption, pain tolerance, and aggressive behavior. The findings suggest that alcohol’s ability to increase pain tolerance may be a key factor in its contribution to heightened aggression.
The Study
Researchers at Ohio State University conducted two independent laboratory experiments involving 543 and 327 participants, respectively. Participants were given either an alcoholic beverage or a placebo and then subjected to electrical shocks to determine their pain threshold. They then participated in a competitive reaction time task, where they could deliver shocks to an opponent.
The Results
The study found that participants who consumed alcohol had a higher pain threshold and were more willing to inflict pain on others. The researchers also discovered that the greater the participant’s tolerance for physical pain, the greater their level of aggression.
The Implications
The study’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of the relationship between alcohol consumption and aggressive behavior. According to Brad Bushman, co-author of the study, “If intoxicated people can’t feel their own pain, they might be less likely to feel empathy when others feel pain, and that could lead them to be more aggressive.”
The Takeaway
The study’s results suggest that alcohol’s ability to numb physical pain may also numb empathy, leading to increased aggression. As Bushman notes, “There are many reasons that intoxicated people are more likely to intentionally hurt others, but this research suggests pain tolerance is one possible reason.”
