Effects of stimulant drugs on self-control choices in pigeons : determining behavioral mechanisms of drug action
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Stacy M. Febbo (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
Abstract: The present study attempted to identify behavioral mechanisms of stimulant effects on
“self-control” choices in pigeons. The experimental procedure required pigeons to
respond on a single random interval (RI) 1 min schedule in order to choose between a
smaller, more immediate reinforcer (1 s food after 2 s delay) and a larger, more delayed
reinforcer (4 s food after 2 to 40 s delay). While the signaled delay to the smaller option
remained 2 s throughout the session, the signaled delay associated with the larger option
increased across five, 10 min blocks from 2 s to 40 s. In this way delay-discount
functions were obtained within each experimental session. Once stable delay-discount
functions were obtained, methylphenidate (MPD) (0.0 – 17.0 mg/kg) and
methamphetamine (METH) (0.0 – 3.0 mg/kg) were administered via i.m. injections.
Using a logarithmic variation of Herrnstein’s matching law, an attempt was made to
separate changes in the sensitivity to delay (SD) from changes in the sensitivity to amount
(SA). Overall, MPD and METH increased choices of the larger, more delayed reinforcer.
Moreover, MPD’s and METH’s primary effects were a decrease in SD, although
concomitant decreases in SA occasionally occurred. It is concluded that quantitative
methods such as those used here may prove useful in elucidating behavioral mechanisms
of drug action.
Effects of stimulant drugs on self-control choices in pigeons : determining behavioral mechanisms of drug action
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Created on 1/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Choice (Psychology), Pigeons--Behavior, Reinforcement (Psychology)
- Subjects
- Pigeons -- Behavior
- Reinforcement (Psychology)
- Choice (Psychology)