A youth's perception that they will have a __________ experience with alcohol can put them at risk for drinking at a young age.

A youth's perception that they will have a __________ experience with alcohol can put them at risk for drinking at a young age.

• A. Positive
• B. Negative
• C. Neutral
• D. Mixed

Answer: (A)

What’s being tested is how a young person’s beliefs about what drinking will do for them influences whether they try alcohol early. If a youth expects that alcohol will bring positive effects—like being more social, feeling happier, or becoming more confident—that expectation can act as a powerful motivation to drink, even in the face of risks. These positive expectancies increase the appeal of trying alcohol and lower the perceived barriers to experimentation, contributing to earlier initiation. In contrast, anticipating negative outcomes (feeling sick, losing control) tends to steer them away from drinking, neutral expectations don’t push in either direction, and mixed expectations reflect uncertainty rather than a strong driver to drink.

What’s being tested is how a young person’s beliefs about what drinking will do for them influences whether they try alcohol early. If a youth expects that alcohol will bring positive effects—like being more social, feeling happier, or becoming more confident—that expectation can act as a powerful motivation to drink, even in the face of risks. These positive expectancies increase the appeal of trying alcohol and lower the perceived barriers to experimentation, contributing to earlier initiation. In contrast, anticipating negative outcomes (feeling sick, losing control) tends to steer them away from drinking, neutral expectations don’t push in either direction, and mixed expectations reflect uncertainty rather than a strong driver to drink.