An Experimental Investigation of the Visual Behavior of Young Heroin Addicts and Matched Controls.
Abstract
The purpose of this experimentation was to determine if the eye movements of heroin addicts differed from non-addicted controls. The study employed an oculometer, which tracked and recorded eye movements without the subject's knowledge or any interference with his visual behavior, and a data processing system, which handled the large volume of data produced by tracking the eye at 60 frames a second. Analysis of the eye movement data revealed major differences between the rapid eye movements, fixation sequences and scan pattern of addicts and non-addicted control subjects. It appears that the significant differences between the eye movements of the addicts and the control subjects are due to (1) motivational factors associated with the importance of the stimulus material; e.g., drug versus neutral items, (2) basic differences in the physiological and central nervous system processes that regulate eye movements, and (3) possible differences in reading skills and the ability to manipulate printed material. Extensions and application of the eye movement studies are discussed. Keywords: Drug effects; Drug addicts; Physiological effects. (KT)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- ADA955640
Entities
People
- Marjorie A. Rosenberger
- Richard A. Monty
- Robert J. Hall
Organizations
- Human Engineering Laboratory