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An operant counting scale for children

A preliminary methodological psychoactive-drug case study

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Abstract

This pilot study is the first attempt at objective measurement of well-defined molecular behaviors through covert field observation. Though the main thrust is the development of a methodology for the clinical investigation of drug effects on children, a method that minimizes or overcomes many of the special problems that have plagued child drug research in the past, some preliminary data on the behavioral effects of haloperidol and imipramine were obtained. The technique developed is called an operant counting scale, and it promises to be useful in future full-drug studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Texas Southwestern Health Sciences Center, USA

    M. L. Sheinbein Ph.D. & K. M. Wiggins M.D.

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  1. M. L. Sheinbein Ph.D.
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  2. K. M. Wiggins M.D.
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Additional information

Dr. Sheinbein is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Health Sciences Center in Dallas and can be contacted at Children's Medical Center, 1935 Amelia Street, Dallas, Texas 75235. Dr. Wiggins is also an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Health Sciences Center, Dallas.

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Sheinbein, M.L., Wiggins, K.M. An operant counting scale for children. Child Psych Hum Dev 5, 142–149 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01433673

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