How Does the Use of Alcohol Affect the Performance of College Students on IQ Tests?

Wynne PresleySenior/Biology Major

Tennessee Technological University

Project Summary

Goal: To determine the affects of alcohol to the IQ of college students.

I plan to test five college students. The test consists of first having them take an IQ test while they are completely sober. They will then consume three beers and be tested again. And finally, they will be once again be tested after consuming the sixth and ninth beer.

I expect their test times and test scores to decrease. However, a few of them may be able to concentrate better after consuming the alcohol. You never know with the guys that are participating.

BackgroundDocumented sources say material learned under the influence of drugs is more available under the influence of drugs; known as state-dependent learning.

Attention IssuesEffects of alcohol are greater for tasks that require attention (controlled processes) than tasks that do not require attention (automatic processes)Tasks such as tracking, vigilance, and reaction time are more sensitive to impairment.

Memory IssuesNew information is not encoded in memory.Degree of amnesia increases with larger doses of alcohol.Alcohol impairs the acquisition of new information but does not affect the retrieval of previously memorized information.There is a correlation between memory impairment and sedative drugs (alcohol is a sedative). These drugs interact with neurotransmitter levels. These neurotransmitters are related to memory functions. Memory interacts with a person’s level of alertness.

Higher Order Processing IssuesIntellectual functioning, as measured by IQ tests, is often below average.

Objective and Hypothesis Statements

Objective: To determine the affects of alcohol to the IQ of college students.

Hypothesis: Alcohol affects learning, memory, and tasks that require attention.

Methods and Materials

Participants Under Normal Conditions Time after 3 Beers Time after 6 Beers Time

Clark

Chip

Nate

Brandon

Ronnie

Expected Results

The IQ test which I have selected is surprisingly difficult so I’m expected for their test scores and test times not to be too impressive even when they are completely sober.

The results from the research should persuade college students to keep their alcohol consumption before test days to a minimum after they see the affects of test scores and times on something as simple as an IQ test.

Project Timeline

Budget

$ for Beer $ for Travel

$ for IQ Tests

Approximately$ 10-$12

Approximately$5 Free 99!