CONSEQUENCES IN ALCOHOL USE PORTRAYALS ON EMERGING ADULT ATTITUDES by Stephanie Jwo Many factors may contribute to forming attitudes towards alcohol, such as peer groups, family history, and media influences. This study focused on the inclusion of consequences in portrayals of alcohol use and the possible influences on emerging adult attitudes towards alcohol. The emerging adult population represents a relatively newly defined developmental stage that roughly spans the ages of 18 to 25 years.

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... erging adult attitudes towards alcohol were expected to vary positively or negatively after reading a vignette of alcohol use that included a positive consequence, a negative consequence, or no consequence. Emerging adult attitudes did not vary by the alcoholuse consequences presented, and no difference was found between male and female attitudes towards alcohol. The null results may be due to a lack of control during the online survey procedure that led to ineffective exposure of the experimental stimuli. However, a small effect size of the vignette medium may also play a role in the null results, as no significant results were found when restricting analyses to participants with adequate stimulus exposure. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to dedicate this thesis to my family and friends who stayed with me throughout the entire process. Without their love, support, and gentle chiding, I am certain that the final product would be much worse for the wear. Many thanks go out to my committee members Dr. Arlene Asuncion, Dr. Mark Van Selst, and Dr. Mildred Alvarez, whose engaging instruction during classes and patience during my long "writing" disappearances were exactly what I needed in my early twenties. The faculty of the San Jose State University Psychology department is made up of amazing educators and I am grateful for their tutelage through my undergraduate and graduate studies. In particular, Dr. Nancy Eldred provided excellent mentorship and I am truly lucky to have been guided by her iron-clad hand.