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Handbook of Psychopharmacology pp 3–35Cite as

The Contribution of Ethological Techniques to the Study of Drug Effects

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Abstract

Centrally acting drugs, by definition, influence the function of the nervous system and therefore inevitably affect behavior, and indeed the desired effect of such drugs is, in general, alteration of behavior. In addition, many other drugs may have behavioral side effects, and a variety of adventitious substances such as solvents and pesticides have also been reported to modify the actions and outlook of those encountering them. Investigation of the action of these agents therefore includes the need to measure behavioral change. This measuring must be done both qualitatively, so that the type of behavior influenced can be recognized, and quantitatively, so that the magnitude of the effect can be estimated. The success of any procedure that is to evaluate the behavioral effects of a drug therefore depends on the ability of the procedure to discriminate among different types of behavior and on its susceptibility to accurate measurement.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sub-Department of Ethology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England

    J. H. Mackintosh & M. R. A. Chance

  2. Central Toxicology Laboratory, Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd., Alderley Park, Cheshire, England

    A. P. Silverman

Authors
  1. J. H. Mackintosh
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  2. M. R. A. Chance
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  3. A. P. Silverman
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, USA

    Leslie L. Iversen

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, USA

    Susan D. Iversen

  3. Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA

    Solomon H. Snyder

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© 1977 Plenum Press, New York

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Mackintosh, J.H., Chance, M.R.A., Silverman, A.P. (1977). The Contribution of Ethological Techniques to the Study of Drug Effects. In: Iversen, L.L., Iversen, S.D., Snyder, S.H. (eds) Handbook of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-4214-4_1

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