Combination of drive and drug effects.

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Abstract
Is the effect of the injection of a given drug on a response dependent upon the drive level at which the response is tested? The effects of injections of Chlorpromazine (1.5 mg/kg) and methylphenidate (4 mg/kg) on a water rewarded lever pressing response were studied at several levels of thirst. Within three phases of the experiment all Ss were tested, in a balanced order, under each of the six conditions (3 drive levels x 2 drug conditions). The following results were found: (a) The higher the drive level, the greater the response rate in both the control and the drug conditions, (b) Both Chlorpromazine and methylphenidate decreased response rate, though the former drug is a mild depressant ("tranquilizer") and the latter a stimulant. (c) There were no significant differences between the mean absolute, or relative, decrements in response score produced by either of the drugs at the different drive levels. (d) Methylphenidate failed to produce any marked decrement at the highest drive level; thus the response was less vulnerable to the effects of this drug at a high drive level than at low drive levels. The decremental effects on the response of stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are discussed. Some suggestions are presented regarding the basis of the difference in methylphenidate-drive and Chlorpromazine-drive combinations.

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