EFFECTS OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS ON DOUBLE ALLEY FRUSTRATION EFFECT

Central nervous system stimulants (amphetamine, methylphenidate), depressants (sodium amobarbital, reserpine, tetrabenezine, chlorpromazine) and anti-depressants (iproniazid, pargyline) were administered intraperitoneally to rats prior to their daily trials in an Amsel double runway in an attempt to modify the frustration effect using within-subject comparisons. Absolute running speeds following reinforcement and nonreinforcement were markedly affected by the drugs. However, in contradistinction to conditioned frustration which has proven amenable to pharmacological intervention, the primary frustration in the present paradigm, involving a response that immediately follows nonreward, proved highly resistant to modification. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.