We cordially invite you to our next criminology colloquium on 02 June 2026 at 6 p.m.
Substance use with the aim of enhancing performance – Prevalence, causes and social consequences
Subject of the lecture:
The targeted use of substances to enhance cognitive performance without a medical indication (so-called cognitive enhancement) has received increasing attention in the media and academia in recent years. The substances consumed include both freely available substances (e.g., caffeine tablets), prescription medications (e.g., methylphenidate), and illegal drugs (e.g., cocaine). The aim is to improve attention, vigilance, or performance beyond an individual’s baseline level.
From a criminological and social science perspective, the phenomenon is relevant, among other things, with regard to the prevalence of substance use as well as its causes and social consequences. In contexts of increasing performance demands and intense competition, cognitive enhancement can be interpreted as a form of instrumental norm violation or as a strategy for coping with structural pressure. This raises questions concerning fairness, social control, health risks, moral evaluations, and potential shifts in social norms.
Among other things, the presentation will discuss findings from the ENHANCE project, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), which is the most extensive empirical study on the topic conducted in Germany to date. The study is based on a nationally representative panel survey of more than 25,000 individuals. It examined the prevalence of various forms of substance-based cognitive enhancement, individual and structural influencing factors (e.g., personality traits, moral beliefs, risk assessments, occupational stressors, and social networks), illegal procurement and distribution channels, as well as social consequences (e.g., willingness to cooperate within teams).
The findings contribute to a theoretically informed and empirically grounded understanding of cognitive enhancement as a social phenomenon. They also provide starting points for prevention strategies in performance-oriented societies.
Participation requirements:
To participate, you must register using our online form. You will receive the participation link immediately after registering, so you can still register at very short notice. Participation is free of charge. A certificate of participation will be issued upon request and sent by email in the days following the event. The KFN’s Criminology Colloquium is recognised as a continuing education event in several federal states, including Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate and Schleswig-Holstein, in the respective Ministry of Justice departments for criminal courts and public prosecutors’ offices. In addition, participation in the event is recognised as continuing education by various bar associations and as federal continuing education for specialist psychologists in legal psychology.
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