This volume investigates the intersection of pharmacological agents and behavioral modification, specifically addressing how chemical substances influence observable actions in living organisms. The authors, Peter B. Dews and Travis I. Thompson, draw upon their extensive backgrounds in experimental psychology and pharmacology to synthesize laboratory findings. They present a framework that categorizes behavioral responses to drug administration, emphasizing the necessity of rigorous, controlled experimental design in behavioral pharmacology.

Experts in the field recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the early development of behavioral pharmacology as a distinct scientific discipline. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which is intended for researchers and advanced students of behavioral science.