Contrast Effect on Subjective Experience in Drug Experiments
Psychological Reports February 1, 1969 DOI: 10.2466/pr0.1969.24.1.69 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 250 |
| Population | Male opiate addicts |
| Key findings | General subjective experiences peculiar to drugs were smaller in no-drug and placebo conditions when administered after potent drugs such as morphine or LSD than when administered before them. The authors interpret this as a contrast effect consistent with Helson's adaptation level theory. |
Abstract
Contrast effects in an experiment involving no-drug, placebo, and seven drugs were postulated on the basis of Helson's adaptation level theory. For 250 male opiate addicts, it was expected and found that general subjective experiences peculiar to drugs were smaller for no-drug or placebo conditions when these conditions were administered after rather than before potent drugs such as morphine or LSD.