Effects of D-Amphetamine on Acquisition, Persistence, and Recall

Abstract

Although amphetamines have frequently been administered in learning situations, their effects upon learning itself are not conclusively established. In some situations, the drugs increase the rate at which performance improves during the learning phase. Eysenck, Casey, and Trouton observed that d-amphetamine improved performance during the learning of a pursuit-rotor task.1 Franks and Trouton obtained a similar improvement during the learning of associations between stimulus lights and response buttons.2 These experiments suggest that amphetamines increase learning, but they are not conclusive. As Weiss and Laties' review of these studies concluded, simply promoting a greater rate of improvement in proficiency is insufficient proof, in view of the numerous effects of amphetamine on motor performance.' Weitzner performed a more compelling demonstration.4 He observed facilitation by amphetamine during the learning of paired associates having high association value and low intralist competition. (He also found no significant drug effect under high com* Received for publication April 12, 1968. The research reported was performed on Contract Nonr 4423(00) with the Physiological Psychology Branch of the Office of Naval Research. The authors wish to thank Dr. Albert L.