PSYC 181 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Morphine, Tricyclic Antidepressant, Mescaline
Document Summary
Behavioral pharmacology- stud of the relationship between the physiological actions of drugs and their effects on behavior and psychological function. Drugs do not create behaviors outside the normal species-typical repertoire. They alter the probability of occurrence of these behaviors. Primary evaluation- unconditioned effects on behavior: motor activity. Includes locomotion- movement, cataplexy- falling over which can lead to injury, balance and strength: seizures drugs that can cause seizures are only used for very serious conditions where benefits outweigh this effect, eating or drinking. Drugs can small changes, but these can add up over time. Once satisfied with the primary evaluation, drug is given secondary evaluation. Secondary evaluation- tests of more specific functions; either learned/conditioned or unconditioned: assesses impact on psychological function, analgesia- reduced pain. Test using tail-flick test- put rat"s tail over a heated light source and measure how long it takes for them to move their tail. Rats on opiates will take longer to move than control.
