Abstract Emotionality and alcohol selection were examined in female pigtail monkeys with dorsolateral or orbitofrontal ablations. Dorsolateral ablations produced a higher selection of the alcohol solution, while orbitofrontal lesions decreased self-selection of alcohol. Changes in emotionality were measured by recording aggresive or aversive behaviors during alcohol loading or placebo loading. Dorsolateral ablations increased the incidence of aggressive behaviors, while orbitofrontal ablations decresed the incidence of aggression. Alcohol “loading” increased aggression in all groups. Orbitofrontal ablations decreased the emission of aversive behaviors although under the alcohol loading condition the number of aversive behaviors exceeded that of both dorsolateral or intact subjects.