An investigation into the relationship between wanting and liking for alcohol

Abstract

The Incentive-Sensitisation Theory (IST) posits that reward is composed of distinct systems of ‘wanting’ and ‘liking’ that are mediated by separate neurobiological systems.  The IST therefore claims that under certain conditions, wanting and liking can become dissociated.  One of these conditions is repeated drug use.  The IST claims that drug use results in a progressive and selective sensitisation of wanting but not liking.  The current research sought to explore this dissociation between wanting and liking in humans using alcohol.  Seven experiments tested the proposed dissociation using three methods of investigation.  Method one (Experiments one and two) compared liking (facial electromyography (EMG), subjective ratings) for alcohol in groups of drinkers (heavy/light) that differed in wanting for alcohol.  Method two (Experiments three to five) used a priming dose of alcohol to increase wanting (consumption, choice) independently of liking (facial EMG, subjective ratings) for alcohol.  Method three (Experiments six and seven) decreased liking (ratings) independently of wanting (consumption) for alcohol by adulterating drinks with Tween.  The results indicated a dissociation between wanting and liking for alcohol using all three methods.  Liking could not explain the differences in wanting between light and heavy drinkers.  Priming with alcohol resulted in increases in wanting but not liking for alcohol.  Finally, adulterating an alcoholic beverage was found to decrease liking but not wanting for that alcoholic beverage.  The results therefore provided support for the IST.

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