Reception of Nonverbal Communication in Alcoholics

Abstract

The ability to interpret nonverbal facial cues was tested in 21 young male, primary alcoholics and a group of matched controls. All Ss were asked to view videotapes of individuals gambling and to determine only on the basis of facial cues the amount of monetary reward offered to videotaped individuals during a specific trial. On the basis of accuracy, the alcoholic group was determined to be significantly better than the control group at receiving the nonverbal cues.

Perception of Nonverbal Facial Cues in Chronic Phencyclidine Abusers

“…These states are both associated with elevated central dopamine levels. Alcoholics have similar high levels of accuracy (Gianni-ni, DeFrance, Loiselle, & Giannini, 1984) and increased activity at the gamaaminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and possibly P-endorphin systems.…”