Certain Effects of Mescaline and Lysergic Acid on Psychological Functions

An experiment was performed to determine whether or not changes in field dependence could be obtained under laboratory-produced stress conditions: i.e., body rotation. Two treatments and one control group were employed. Subjects in the first group were given the Rod and Frame Test; and, after a delay, they were spun and retested immediately after rotation (immediate-test group). Subjects in another group were given the Rod and Frame Test, were rotated ; and given the Rod and Frame Test after a delay of 10 minutes (delay-test group). Subjects in the control group were given the Rod and Frame Test and then given the Rod and Frame Test after a 15-minute delay. Subjects in both the immediate-test group and control group showed a decrease in field dependence, with the immediate-test group showing a slightly greater decrease than did the control group. Subjects in the delay-test group did not show a decrease in field dependence. Contrary to expectation, in no case was there a mean increase in field dependence. The results indicate the possibility of a normal decrease in field dependence with readministration of the Rod and Frame Test after a short lapse of time.