Introduction toIntroduction toBehavioral PharmacologyBehavioral Pharmacology

Defining Behavioral PharmacologyDefining Behavioral Pharmacology

Behavioral Pharmacology is a Behavioral Pharmacology is a specialization of behavioral science that specialization of behavioral science that applies the methods and concepts of applies the methods and concepts of behavior analysis to explain the behavior analysis to explain the behavioral effects of drugs.behavioral effects of drugs.– Behavior Analysis is a unique natural Behavior Analysis is a unique natural

science approach to study behaviorscience approach to study behavior– Popularized by B.F. SkinnerPopularized by B.F. Skinner

Defining Behavioral PharmacologyDefining Behavioral PharmacologyPsychopharmacology vs. Behavioral Psychopharmacology vs. Behavioral PharmacologyPharmacology– The distinction is not always clear.The distinction is not always clear.– The term “psychopharmacology” was coined The term “psychopharmacology” was coined

a few decades before the science of behavior a few decades before the science of behavior analysis was developed.analysis was developed.

Some people distinguish these specializations Some people distinguish these specializations based on the accepted methodology to study drug based on the accepted methodology to study drug effects. (i.e., a broader range of methods in effects. (i.e., a broader range of methods in psychopharmacology.)psychopharmacology.)Others distinguish them based on emphasis of Others distinguish them based on emphasis of research questions.research questions.Others don’t distinguish them at all.Others don’t distinguish them at all.

Science of Behavior AnalysisScience of Behavior Analysis

Environmental events are emphasized Environmental events are emphasized because:because:– such variables clearly influence behaviorsuch variables clearly influence behavior– they are directly observablethey are directly observable– we have the technology to study themwe have the technology to study them– they are subject to direct manipulationthey are subject to direct manipulation

Behavior AnalysisBehavior Analysis

What it is:What it is:– a natural science emphasizing effects of a natural science emphasizing effects of

environmental variables on behaviorenvironmental variables on behavior– concerned with behavior in its own right, not concerned with behavior in its own right, not

as an indication of events at another level of as an indication of events at another level of analysisanalysis

– a proven practical approach to deal with a a proven practical approach to deal with a wide variety of behavioral problems (including wide variety of behavioral problems (including drug use and abuse)drug use and abuse)

Behavior AnalysisBehavior Analysis

What it is What it is NOT:NOT:– S-R psychologyS-R psychology– unconcerned with mental events (thoughts, unconcerned with mental events (thoughts,

emotions)emotions)– unconcerned with genetics, physiologyunconcerned with genetics, physiology– deaddead

Behaviorism in the Early 20Behaviorism in the Early 20thth Century Century

Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov– Respondent conditioningRespondent conditioning– Some of Pavlov’s early work examined drug Some of Pavlov’s early work examined drug

effects on respondent conditioning.effects on respondent conditioning.– This work preceded the formal development of This work preceded the formal development of

Behavioral Pharmacology.Behavioral Pharmacology.

John WatsonJohn Watson– Introduced BehaviorismIntroduced Behaviorism– First to put forth a strong natural science First to put forth a strong natural science

approach for psychologyapproach for psychology– Attempted to explain behavior primarily in Attempted to explain behavior primarily in

terms of respondent conditioningterms of respondent conditioning– Methodological Behaviorism (deals only with Methodological Behaviorism (deals only with

publicly observable events)publicly observable events)

Radical BehaviorismRadical BehaviorismPhilosophical Position Adopted and Philosophical Position Adopted and Promoted by B.F. SkinnerPromoted by B.F. Skinner– conceptualizes behavior as involving both conceptualizes behavior as involving both

public and private eventspublic and private events– assigns no special status to private eventsassigns no special status to private events– Private events (e.g., thoughts, feelings) do Private events (e.g., thoughts, feelings) do

not cause overt behavior:not cause overt behavior:they are stimuli that function similar to directly they are stimuli that function similar to directly observable stimuli observable stimuli

they are difficult to studythey are difficult to study

Science of Behavior AnalysisScience of Behavior Analysis

EmphasizesEmphasizes– Antecedents, Responses, ConsequencesAntecedents, Responses, Consequences– Contingencies of ReinforcementContingencies of Reinforcement

Operant BehaviorOperant Behavior– behavior modified by its consequencesbehavior modified by its consequences

Operant ConditioningOperant Conditioning– the process of modifying some the process of modifying some

characteristic of behavior by altering its characteristic of behavior by altering its consequencesconsequences

Experimental Analysis of BehaviorExperimental Analysis of BehaviorEssential features of EAB ResearchEssential features of EAB Research

JEAB (founded in 1958) continues to be an important JEAB (founded in 1958) continues to be an important outlet for EAB researchoutlet for EAB research

Uses of EAB in Behavioral Uses of EAB in Behavioral PharmacologyPharmacology

Main AssumptionsMain Assumptions– Behavior is important in its own right.Behavior is important in its own right.– An intensive study of a few subjects is a fruitful An intensive study of a few subjects is a fruitful

research strategy.research strategy.– Graphic analysis of data is desirable.Graphic analysis of data is desirable.– Direct and repeated measures are invaluable.Direct and repeated measures are invaluable.– Variable data are best dealt with by isolating and Variable data are best dealt with by isolating and

controlling responsible extraneous variables.controlling responsible extraneous variables.– Studies of nonhuman subjects under controlled Studies of nonhuman subjects under controlled

experimental conditions can be of great value to experimental conditions can be of great value to understand variables that control human behavior.understand variables that control human behavior.

Historical Landmarks in Behavioral Historical Landmarks in Behavioral PharmacologyPharmacology

Research Areas in Behavioral Research Areas in Behavioral PharmacologyPharmacology

Behavioral LociBehavioral Loci– what aspects of behavior are altered by the drug what aspects of behavior are altered by the drug

(e.g., reaction time)(e.g., reaction time)

Behavioral Mechanisms of ActionBehavioral Mechanisms of Action– the stimulus functions of the drug; the effects of the the stimulus functions of the drug; the effects of the

drug on the capacity of other stimuli to control drug on the capacity of other stimuli to control behaviorbehavior

Variables that Modulate Drug’s Behavioral Variables that Modulate Drug’s Behavioral Effects Effects – e.g., other stimuli, alternative reinforcers etc…e.g., other stimuli, alternative reinforcers etc…