Validation of the Australian Beverage Picture Set: A Controlled Picture Set for Cognitive Bias Measurement and Modification Paradigms

Research on implicit biases towards alcoholic stimuli require validated picture sets that (a) contain a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages recognized by the sample population, (b) control for featural differences that do not pertain to the beverage itself, and (c) elicit a desired effect upon viewing, with alcoholic beverages resulting in an increased urge to drink in heavy drinkers. In this study, we validated the Australian Beverage Picture Set (OzBPS) by collecting and photographing a range of beverages commonly found in Australia, and participants completed identification and ratings tasks. After eliminating beverages that were not easily identified as alcoholic or non-alcoholic, the analysis validated the picture set, revealing a linear relationship between habitual drinking and an increased urge to drink in response to alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, we included a novel pouring context, which was found to elicit a stronger urge to drink. In conclusion, the OzBPS is a valid image set that will facilitate future research into cognitive correlates of drinking behaviour.