Alcohol's Dissociation of Implicit and Explicit Memory Processes: Implications of a Parallel Distributed Processing Model of Semantic Priming

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Abstract

Alcohol's dissociation of implicit (unintentional) and explicit (intentional) memory processes in social drinkers was examined. It was hypothesized that an alcohol challenge would lower the percentage of words recalled and result in more retroactive interference in explicit recall tasks but would not lengthen reaction time in an implicit semantic priming task involving highly semantically similar words. Men and women completed all memory tasks in each of 2 counterbalanced sessions (alcohol challenge vs. no-alcohol) separated by 1 week. Alcohol significantly degraded processing in both explicit memory tasks, yet implicit semantic priming remained intact. A parallel distributed processing model that simulates semantic memory is presented. When this system is strongly activated, it does not appear to be altered during moderate alcohol intoxication.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)118-125
Number of pages8
JournalExperimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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