Perceptual reactance, drug preference, and electrodermal activity in treatment-seeking substance abusers.
Perceptual reactance (PR) was explored as a contributing variable to drug abuse. PR is defined as the general tendency of an individual's central nervous system to perceptually modulate incoming sensory stimuli. Using an adaptive model of drug use, it was hypothesized that drug preference in substance abusers would vary with PR. Specifically, perceptual reducers, who subjectively dampen afferent sensation, would prefer experience-expanding drugs (i.e., cocaine and amphetamines) to heighten perception. Conversely, perceptual augmenters would prefer sensory-restricting drugs (i.e., opioids and sedative-hypnotics) that attenuate or modulate environmental stimuli. Utilizing subjective (Reducing-Augmenting Scale) and objective (electrodermal responses) measures of PR, the relationship was tested in a sample of treatment-seeking substance abusers (n = 122). The sample was stratified on whether or not they were abstinent. Interestingly, a higher than anticipated rate of electrodermal non-responsivity was found across the sample and the implications of this finding are discussed. The study hypothesis was only supported in the electrodermally-responsive group.
Compton
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UCLA School of Nursing, Acute Care Section 90095-6918, USA. pcompton@sonnet.ucla.edu
D000328:Adult; D000662:Amphetamines; D001143:Arousal; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003042:Cocaine; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000662:Amphetamines; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D003042:Cocaine