Date of Completion
Spring 5-13-2025
Thesis Advisor(s)
Robert Astur
Honors Major
Physiology and Neurobiology
Disciplines
Behavioral Disciplines and Activities | Behavioral Neurobiology | Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Mental Disorders | Substance Abuse and Addiction
Abstract
Alcohol use remains a major concern among college students, with binge drinking linked to serious physical and mental health problems. But how much does the environment influence these addictive behaviors? The relationship between environmental cues and alcohol related behaviors is a critical area of study, particularly understanding reward and motivation mechanisms. Binge drinking, common among college students, is associated with a range of negative outcomes such as physical harm, legal issues, poorer overall health, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, and severe thoughts of suicide. In our study, college undergraduates were exposed to two VR rooms: one with alcohol-related stimuli and one neutral. Participants with a history of alcohol use spent significantly more time in the alcohol-paired room, indicating the development of a conditioned place preference (CPP). In contrast, participants without alcohol experience showed no clear preference. This study is the second to demonstrate that virtual alcohol cues can establish CPP, suggesting that virtual environments can influence behavior, particularly in individuals with prior alcohol exposure. These findings have implications for understanding the role of environmental context in addiction and could inform strategies for prevention and intervention.
Recommended Citation
Rodriguez Torres, Nikole A.; Astur, Robert; and Divino, Jeffrey, "Investigating Undergraduate Conditioned Place Preference Utilizing Virtual Alcohol Stimuli" (2025). Honors Scholar Theses. 1117.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/srhonors_theses/1117