How does alcohol consumption typically affect a person’s decision-making abilities?

Alcohol consumption typically impairs decision-making abilities due to its effects on the brain and cognitive functions. When a person consumes alcohol, it can disrupt the normal functioning of neurotransmitters and hinder the brain's ability to process information effectively. This leads to a reduction in judgment and an increased likelihood of impulsive decisions, as alcohol dulls critical thinking and decreases self-control. Cognitive tasks that require attention, concentration, and the ability to weigh consequences are particularly affected, which can compromise overall decision-making processes.

The other options don't align with the established understanding of alcohol's effects. For instance, the idea that alcohol enhances decision-making contradicts research showing that intoxication generally leads to poorer judgments and risky behavior. Similarly, the notion that alcohol has no effect on decision-making ignores substantial evidence regarding its cognitive detriments. Lastly, suggesting that alcohol only affects physical actions overlooks the significant mental impairments that accompany its use, which play a critical role in decision-making.