The influence of personality, cognition, and behavior on perceptions and metaperceptions following alcoholic beverage selection in a dating situation

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate perceptions and metaperceptions of individuals in a mixed sex dating situation in which they were offered alcohol. Male and female participants who were unfamiliar with one another were brought together in individual sessions and asked to imagine that they were on a blind date. At the outset of the 15-minute interaction, they each had an opportunity to select an alcoholic or nonalcoholic drink; after receiving their drink, they interacted privately. At the conclusion of the interaction, participants completed questionnaires that solicited their view of their partner and their perception of their partner's view of them. Results indicate that alcohol expectancies predicted alcoholic beverage selection. When women selected alcohol, they found their partner more likeable; those men whose partner was drinking believed that their partner found them more likeable. Additionally, when both partners were drinking they perceived each other as more extroverted, although they did not think their partner perceived them as extroverted. These results are discussed in terms of implications for further research on the role of alcohol as a cue in a mixed-sex social/dating environment.