Conformity in gamma and delta alcoholics

Walton (1968) suggested that personality structure determines the pattern of addiction displayed by alcoholics. Personality measures have been shown to differentiate reliably between alcoholics and nonalcoholic populations. The present study investigated conforming behavior in response to group pressure in gamma and delta alcoholics and in nonalcoholic controls. Hospitalized alcholics conformed significantly more than normals when group pressure was acknowledged prior to responding. Gamma alcoholics tended to conform more than delta alcoholics, but this trend was not significant. These results are consistent with previous findings that gamma alcoholics are more extreme on some personality dimensions. This may be regarded as evidence that personality type determines pattern of addiction (Walton, 1968). Alternatively, societal reaction to different drinking patterns, or the progressive nature of the disease, may produce personality differences.