Rapid acquisition of preference in concurrent schedules: Effects of d-amphetamine on sensitivity to reinforcement amount

David R. Maguire, Andrew M. Rodewald, Christine E. Hughes, Raymond C. Pitts

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the present study, effects of d-amphetamine on sensitivity to reinforcement amount under concurrent schedules were examined using a rapid-acquisition procedure. Four pigeons key pecked under single concurrent variable-interval 30-s schedules of grain presentation. Two different reinforcer-amount ratios (7:1 and 1:7) changed across sessions according to a 31-step pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS). After at least four times through the PRBS, response ratios generally tracked the session-to-session changes in amount ratios; estimates of sensitivity ranged from 0.26 to 0.31 across the four pigeons. Effects of a range of doses of d-amphetamine (0.3-5.6 mg/kg) then were determined. For 3 of 4 pigeons, at least one dose, which did not dramatically alter overall response output or bias, decreased sensitivity to reinforcement amount. These results suggest that reducing sensitivity of responding to reinforcement amount may be one behavioral mechanism of stimulants, which may have implications for interpreting drug effects on self-control.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)238-243
Number of pages6
JournalBehavioural Processes
Volume81
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Behavioral mechanisms
  • Choice
  • Key peck
  • Pigeon
  • Reinforcer amount
  • Sensitivity
  • d-Amphetamine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Rapid acquisition of preference in concurrent schedules: Effects of d-amphetamine on sensitivity to reinforcement amount'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this