Alcohol Reaction Time Alcohol and Research Proposal

The researchers compared those who drank alcohol with those who were given injections of alcohol in order to study blood alcohol concentration levels. The researchers found that both methods of administering alcohol resulted in an inhibited ability to react using psychomotor skills. Furthermore, the authors found that these tests produced conditions similar to those that one would encounter in driving and other real-life tasks. Thus, the researchers concluded that, at different blood alcohol content levels, the use of psychomotor skills, which includes reaction times, were different (Grant, Millar, and Kenny 2000, p.405-406)

Thus, reaction times in those who are under the influence of alcohol are directly connected with blood alcohol content. But blood alcohol content is different in each person. According to Bigsby (nd), people process alcohol at different levels, and several factors can mitigate the processing of alcohol. For instance, having food in one's stomach can increase the processing of alcohol, while mixing alcohol with other beverages can either increase or decrease the rate of absorption based on the beverage. Gender, body fat, and body weight are physical factors in determining how fast alcohol is processed, while decisions about drinking, mood, and alcohol dependence are psychological factors that affect the absorption of alcohol (Bigsby nd).

Thus, blood alcohol contents vary significantly from person to person based on the factors above.For this reason, blood alcohol concentration charts, which estimate a person's blood alcohol content, are not often accurate (Bigsby nd). Thus, determining a person's reaction times based on blood alcohol content can offer interesting insights to scholars, social, and medical personnel, but should not be used by drinkers to gauge whether or not they can drive.

As these readings have suggested, the investigation of blood alcohol level's correlation with reaction time is a study worthy of pursuit. In fact, many studies have already linked the two variables. More work on the subject, however, is needed. By understanding that alcohol affects risk-taking decision-making even in social drinkers, blood alcohol level affects the physical body, and alcohol absorption is different among all, researchers can ask important questions about blood alcohol level and reaction time, such as differentiating between physical and mental reactions and determining the difference in reaction times among different demographic groups.

Works Cited

Bigsby, Chris. (1996). Are You Aware. Retrieved November 9, 2008, at http://www.runet.edu/~kcastleb/bac.html.

George, S., Rogers, R.D., and Duka, T. (2005). The acute effect of alcohol on decision making in social drinkers. Psychopharmacology 182, 160-169.

Grant, S.A., Miller K., and Kenny, G.N.C. (2000). Blood alcohol concentration and psychomotor effects. British Journal of….....