Date of Award
12-1996
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Alan D. Poling
Second Advisor
Dr. Lisa Baker
Third Advisor
Dr. Richard Mallot
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
This study investigated whether two stimulants, cocaine and d-amphetamine, interfered with the choice of a larger, more delayed reinforcer over a smaller, less delayed reinforcer (self-control) in rats. Four male Sprague-Dawley rats were tested in a two-lane runway 220 cm in length. The subjects were given a choice between immediate delivery of one ( 45 mg) food pellet immediately following entry into the goal box and delivery of four pellets eight seconds after entry into the goal box. During the training phase (no drug administration) all of the subjects consistently preferred the larger, more delayed reinforcer, indicating self control. With acute administration of cocaine (1.0, 3.2, 5.6, 10.0, and 18.0 mg/kg) and d-amphetamine (1.0, 3.2, 4.2, and 5.6 mg/kg) the subjects continued to choose the larger, more delayed reinforcer. Chronic administration of cocaine at the highest dose under which the animals completed most of the trials during acute administration did not affect preference. These results indicate that the tested stimulants failed to reduce self-control in rats.
Recommended Citation
Jarema, Kimberly Ann, "Cocaine and d-Amphetamine Fail to Interfere with Self-Control in Rats" (1996). Masters Theses. 3669.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/3669