The novel-response procedure in humans.
The novel-response drug discrimination procedure is one of several three-choice procedures developed to address interpretational difficulties that can occur under standard two-response procedures. The novel-response procedure is unique among three-choice discrimination procedures by using instructions, rather than explicit training procedures. With the novel-response procedure, participants are trained under a standard two-response (drug vs. placebo) discrimination, and then instructed that in the presence of a drug stimulus unlike either of the training drugs, responses should be made on the novel-response alternative. Several studies have assessed the utility of the novel-response procedure by comparing effects under a standard two-response and the novel-response procedure in participants trained to discriminate triazolam from placebo. Results indicate that the novel-response procedure can increase the selectivity of both placebo- and drug-appropriate responding, and in this way, allows for finer distinctions to be made among sedatives than a standard two-response procedure.
Smith
B J
BJ
Departmant of Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington 05401, USA.
Bickel
W K
WK
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D014229:Triazolam / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009294:Narcotics; D014229:Triazolam