Behavioral Analysis of Drug Effects

Question 1

What are the classic drug categories?

Answer 1

Stimulant (raised blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and breathing, increase in dopamine)
Depressant (slow CNS function, stimulate/potentiate GABA function, may reduce anxiety)

Question 2

What are the types of experimental study designs in drug research?

Answer 2

Within-subject design (drugged and non-drugged behaviors in the same subject)
Between-subject design (two groups, one experimental and one control)
Stable behavior → within-subject
Performance naturally changes → between-subject

Question 3

What can influence the placebo effect?

Answer 3

Price of the placebo
Color
Verbal suggestions
Emotions
Social cues (i.e. eye gaze)
Treatment cues (i.e. syringe)

Question 4

How are drug discovery research studies designed?

Answer 4

Three group designs: placebo, experimental (new drug), third group (existing drug)