Effects of d-amphetamine on choice of social versus monetary reinforcement: a discrete-trial test.
Two mutually exclusive options were concurrently available to eight volunteers during 60-min experimental sessions. Subjects chose every three minutes between conversing with another same-sex volunteer and providing speech monologues for monetary reinforcement. d-Amphetamine (12.5 and 25 mg/70 kg) significantly increased choice of social over monetary reinforcement. Drug-produced increases in choice of the social option were associated with increases in total seconds of speech and the rate of social conversation. d-Amphetamine also increased subject ratings of effects indicative of greater sociability such as friendliness, elation and energetic. These results suggest that d-amphetamine can increase the relative reinforcing effects of social interaction.
Higgins
S T
ST
Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington 05401.
Hughes
J R
JR
Bickel
W K
WK
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004467:Economics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012056:Reinforcement, Social
D003913:Dextroamphetamine