Abstract
A titrating delayed matching-to-sample (TDMTS) procedure, in which the delay between the sample and comparison stimuli depends on the subject’s performance, was used to assess the effects of 0.5 mg/kg of haloperidol in pigeons. The results showed that the decrease in the limit of delay sustained by the subjects in the drug condition could not be attributed to drug effects on short-term memory, because the limit of delay measure was confounded by the effect of the drug on psychomotor responding. Implications of the use of the TDMTS procedure are discussed.
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This report is based on data from a project submitted by the first author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master’s degree in psychology. The authors acknowledge the assistance of the following people: Chris van Halewyn for writing the computer program, Ijan Beveridge for his care of the animals, and Robin Phillips for his assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.
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Woodward, L.J., Watson, J.E., Blampied, N.M. et al. The use of the titrating delayed matching-to-sample procedure for analyzing drug effects. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 24, 388–390 (1986). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330162
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330162