Chunk #35 — Examples of Specific Environments that Could be Modeled Across Species: Early Alcohol Exposures and the Peer Environment — The Peer Social Environment
When considering the peer environment as an important environmental factor in drinking, simple social influence (e.g., coercive or imitative modeling) and availability are not the only mechanisms that may be considered. Research on drinking motivations (Cooper et al., 1994) and alcohol expectancies (e.g., Brown et al., 1980; Fromme et al., 1993) indicates that drinkers report that alcohol enhances social reinforcement and that they drink to enhance social interaction. Experimental studies (e.g., Sher, 1985) indicate that alcohol is perceived as more pleasurable and activating when consumed in group versus solitary contexts. Indeed, most human consumption occurs in social contexts.
