The AEQ assesses what aspect of drinking?

• A. Expected positive and negative effects of alcohol
• B. The actual blood alcohol concentration
• C. Craving intensity
• D. Social functioning

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that drinking behavior is driven by what a person expects will happen when they drink. The AEQ is designed to capture those beliefs—both positive outcomes (like feeling more relaxed or sociable) and negative ones (such as hangovers or loss of control). This makes it the best choice because it targets expected effects, not actual intoxication, craving, or current functioning.

It isn’t about how drunk someone actually is right now (that would be a blood alcohol concentration measure), nor is it a direct measure of craving intensity, which assesses the urge to drink. It also isn’t a direct assessment of how well someone functions socially at the moment. By focusing on expectancies, the AEQ helps explain why people might choose to drink and how these beliefs relate to drinking patterns and risk.