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Research Report

Glucose Increases Risky Behavior and Attitudes in People Low in Self-Control

A Pilot Study

Published Online:March 15, 2017https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-9335/a000290

Abstract

Abstract. People low in self-control have a strong proclivity toward risk-taking. Risk-taking behavior provides an opportunity to obtain some form of reward. Glucose, on the other hand, seems to facilitate reward and goal-directed behavior. In a pilot study executed in the laboratory, we investigated whether consuming a glucose drink would increase risky behavior and attitudes in people low in self-control. Our findings revealed that a dose of glucose compared to placebo increased risk-taking on a behavioral and cognitive level in participants low in self-control but not in participants high in self-control. The findings may shed some light on the psychological underpinnings of glucose: By showing glucose’s association with high-risk behavior, they support the assumption of glucose driving a goal-directed motivation.

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