1. A chat
to remember

4. You want a picture. I don’t have anything recent
You want a picture? I don’t have anything recent. I have blue eyes and straight brown hair. I love piercings and I always wear tight, low-rise pants. You?

5. That picture was taken at Mont-Tremblant. I was skiing with friends
That picture was taken at Mont-Tremblant. I was skiing with friends. You like sports?

6. I’m a competitive swimmer. Not much time for other sports
I’m a competitive swimmer. Not much time for other sports. Lots of school work.

7. You’re still up! You have that much homework?

8. Yeah, we have a lot these days…

9. Try not to stay up too late. You have a big swimming weekend coming up!

10. The next day

11. According to the picture he sent me, he seems like a really cool guy
According to the picture he sent me, he seems like a really cool guy! We write to each other all the time. I check my constantly and answer him right away.

12. He could be totally ugly. Pictures can be doctored, you know
He could be totally ugly. Pictures can be doctored, you know. And people will say anything when nobody’s listening in. Doesn’t appeal to me at all.

13. Well, I’m going to find out who he really is
Well, I’m going to find out who he really is. He invited me over to his place.

14. Are you crazy? You can’t go! You don’t know him!

15. I am SO going. I’m not telling my parents, though
I am SO going. I’m not telling my parents, though. I’ll make something up.

16. I’m going out, Mom. Coach wants to see us so he called a meeting
I’m going out, Mom. Coach wants to see us so he called a meeting. I won’t be back late.

18. What would you like to hear?

21. You’re not drinking much…

23. Hey, I didn’t come here for that.

24. Don’t be a tease. That doesn’t work for me.

25. I have to get out of here. But how?

26. It’s just that…I don’t think we know each other well enough.

27. Let go of me!

28. Hello. It’s Mark, Melissa’s coach. I’m sorry to be calling so late
Hello. It’s Mark, Melissa’s coach. I’m sorry to be calling so late. I just wanted to confirm that the meet is this Saturday at the pool.

29. Isn’t she at a team meeting with you now?

30. No, there was no meeting tonight.

34. Mom, can you come get me. I’m in the suburbs
Mom, can you come get me? I’m in the suburbs. I’ll put the people whose house I’m at on the phone and they’ll tell you how to get here. Bring me a coat, OK? I’ll explain everything when I see you. Don’t worry, I’m fine!

35. Alcohol and aggression
Is there a link between drinking and aggressive behaviour?
A look at the biochemistry of alcohol and certain “cultural expectations” can help understand the dynamics of the interaction.

36. Neurotransmitters and the central nervous system
Neurotransmitters allow neurons to communicate with each other. They are in charge of information processing. The activity of these little communication molecules is what produces things like anger, hunger and sleepiness, as well as our thoughts.
Presynaptic neuron
Synapse
Postsynaptic neuron

37. Alcohol molecules and the central nervous system
We know that alcohol molecules can disrupt the production of neurotransmitters—dopamine, in particular—in what’s called the brain’s “pleasure centre.”

38. Alcohol molecules and the central nervous system
We know that alcohol molecules can disrupt the production of neurotransmitters—dopamine, in particular—in what’s called the brain’s “pleasure centre.”

39. With alcohol Without alcohol Inhibition and disinhibition
Some neurotransmitters actively control impulses, as directed by a person’s will. Alcohol molecules disrupt this system of voluntary inhibition and promote impulsive behaviour.
With alcohol
Without alcohol
Presynaptic neuron
Inhibitory neuron
Postsynaptic neuron
Active inhibitory neuron
Inactive inhibitory neuron

40. The attention hypothesis
According to this hypothesis, a person intoxicated by alcohol has a reduced capacity for attention. As a result, attention is focused solely on the most notable external stimuli. If it happens that potentially provocative stimuli are more notable than others, the person’s subjective impression of being provoked is amplified, leading to an increase in aggressive behaviour.

41. Alcohol, aggression and culture
Some research has shown that social context and cultural traditions can condemn or condone aggressive behaviour under specific circumstances. Thus, in cultures where alcohol is considered to “provoke” aggression, research subjects become aggressive, even after being given a placebo.

42. What to conclude?
The relationship between alcohol and aggressive behaviour remains difficult to pin down. It is a complex interaction involving biochemical, psychological, circumstantial and cultural factors. To further complicate matters, researchers have noted a correlation between affective disorders (e.g. mood swings, volatility)  and poor eating habits, particularly malnutrition.

43. Do you really think alcohol makes you more attractive?