What effect does alcohol have on decision making?

• A. It impairs judgment and risk assessment, leading to riskier choices or poor consequences.
• B. It improves memory and judgment.
• C. It has no effect on decision making.
• D. It makes people more cautious.

Answer: (A)

Alcohol affects decision making by dulling the brain’s ability to judge risks and control impulses. When intoxicated, the parts of the brain that help weigh consequences and think ahead don’t work as well, so you’re more likely to act on impulse and misjudge how risky a choice really is. That often leads to riskier actions and poorer outcomes, like injuries or regrettable decisions later.

Memory and judgment aren’t improved by drinking; alcohol can make it harder to form new memories and can distort what you think you remember. There is a real effect on decision making, not none. It also doesn’t make people more cautious—in fact, it tends to reduce inhibition, making people act with less caution.