DRINKING BEHAVIOR IN LABORATORY AND BARROOM SETTINGS

The drinking patterns of 49 men observed in bars, described by Kessler and Gomberg, were compared with those of 14 men observed during a laboratory experiment of marital interaction. Thirty of the barroom patrons took less than 20 min to consume their drinks and 12 of the laboratory subjects took longer than 21 min (P < .01); 41 of the former completed their drink in less than 12 sips while 13 of the latter took 13 or more sips (P < .01). The bar patrons consumed 36 beers, 17 mixed drinks and 1 other drink and the laboratory subjects 49 mixed drinks, 18 beers and 4 others. Drinking behaviors observed in experimental and natural settings may not be comparable.