Assessing the immediate impact of normative drinking information using an immediate post-test randomized controlled design: Implications for normative feedback interventions?

One alternative explanation for the observed impact of normative feedback interventions is that participants who receive normative information will just report reductions in their drinking rather than actually reducing the amount they drink. The current study tested the immediate impact of receiving normative information on self-reports of drinking.MethodsA random half of participants (39 out of 80) were presented with normative information about college drinking and then asked information about their drinking. Participants in the control condition were not presented with the normative information before answering the questions about their drinking.ResultsRisky drinking participants presented with the normative information reported significantly less drinking as compared to those in the control condition (p < .05).

► Participants report less drinking directly after receipt of normative information. ► Population norms presentation may create a social desirability effect. ► Findings may explain impact of normative feedback intervention in problem drinkers.