Mindsets and the Effectiveness of a Brief Intervention - Replication

Brief Interventions (BI) based on Motivational Interviewing are effective in reducing alcohol use. In this study, the investigators test the hypothesis that mindsets increase the positive effects of BI among a student sample of risky drinkers. Subjects will be students with risky alcohol use as identified by the AUDIT. All participants receive the World Health Organization's (WHO) ASSIST-linked BI in one of two forms. Either with or without a decisional balance element (Steps 6-9 from the ten steps of the intervention). Before the ASSIST-linked BI, participants are randomly assigned to one of three mindset conditions. They either deliberate upon an unsolved problem (deliberative mindset), plan the implementation of a set goal (implemental mindset), or perform a control task (control condition). The investigators measure the change in alcohol-related risk perceptions, treatment motivation, and alcohol drinking as assessed via the timeline follow-back method. The investigators also assess THC consumption during the study.