Citation

Froeberg S. J. Exp. Psychol. 1920; 3(5): 334-346.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1920, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/h0074856

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The difficulty in experiments of this sort is to avoid suggestion. To accomplish this an ingenious device was resorted to whereby the alkaloid decomposition products, which are supposed to be the active agents of tobacco smoke, were filtered out, leaving the aroma of the smoke unchanged. In the unfiltered smoking apparatus absorbent cotton was used to equalize the "pull." There was little difference in taste between the filtered and the unfiltered smoke, but the filtered smoke was slightly less visible than the unfiltered. This enabled one subject to detect the difference, and necessitated the rejection of his records. Cigars were used, and the smoking period was approximately thirty minutes. Three motor tests and five association tests were used. The results from six subjects were included. There was a marked decrease in steadiness and coordination, but little difference in speed of movement. The association tests showed slight increases or decreases after smoking, but in only one case was the change as much as three P.E. Smoking, therefore, seems to have no definite effect upon the association processes of the normal adult. From Psych Bulletin 18:06:00373. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)