Cannabis and Work in Jamaica: A Refutation of the Amotivational Syndrome*

Comitas, Lambros

doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1976.tb49881.x

Cited by 49 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…An “amotivational syndrome”, which includes social withdrawal, has been identified as a potential negative consequence of chronic cannabis use (Sewell et al, 2009). However, previous research has failed to support an association between chronic use of this drug and impaired motivation (Comitas, 1976; Barnwell et al, 2006), and motivational deficits in cannabis users may be a consequence of other factors, such as depression (Kupfer et al, 1973; Musty and Kaback, 1995). Our data suggest that social withdrawal is not a trait-like characteristic of chronic cannabis users who do not meet criteria for a current or past mood disturbance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cannabis users differ from non-users on measures of personality and schizotypy

Fridberg¹,

Vollmer²,

O’Donnell³

et al. 2011

Psychiatry Research

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Accumulating evidence indicates that cannabis use may be a risk factor for schizophrenia (SZ), and chronic cannabis users score higher than non-users on measures of schizotypal personality traits. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relations between normal personality, schizotypy, and cannabis use. Sixty-two chronic cannabis users and 45 cannabis-naïve controls completed a measure of normal personality, the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and two measures of schizotypy, the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and Perceptual Aberration Scale (PAS). Substance use was assessed using the SCID I alcohol/drug module and a locally developed drug use questionnaire. On the NEO-FFI, users scored higher than controls on Openness, but lower on Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, and endorsed greater schizotypy on the SPQ and PAS. Higher Neuroticism predicted greater schizotypy in both groups, and, higher Extraversion predicted lower negative-syndrome schizotypy among users. Finally, duration of cannabis use was positively correlated with scores on the SPQ and PAS among users, suggesting a relation between overall cannabis use chronicity and schizotypy. These data show that cannabis users differ from non-users on dimensions of normal personality and schizotypy, and provide further evidence that cannabis use is associated with increased levels of psychosis-related personality traits.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cannabis users differ from non-users on measures of personality and schizotypy

Fridberg¹,

Vollmer²,

O’Donnell³

et al. 2011

Psychiatry Research

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“…Production rates were almost identical for users and non-users; indeed many farmers hiring the labourers provided free ganja for their labourers (Comitas, 1976). Ganja use in Jamaica was seen as an aid to alertness, a conclusion previously noted by the Indian Hemp Commission in 1896: 'The use of [ganja] to alleviate fatigue is very largely in evidence' (cited in Comitas, 1976, p. 31). The absence of performance impairments found by Comitas contrasts with the significant performance decrements found in laboratory information-processing tasks (Dittrich et al, 1973), and measures of car driving (Klonoff, 1974 Thus while information processing might be slowed, task orientation or motivation may be improved, leading to unchanged overall output.…”

Section: Information Processing or Performance?mentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Long-term studies are also rare in psychopharmacology. Comitas (1976) did, however, assess ganja (cannabis) users and nonusers, in the sugar fields of Jamaica over a whole harvest season. Extensive interview and work-output data were collected.…”

Section: Information Processing or Performance?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance tests in human psychopharmacology (3): Construct validity and test interpretation

Parrott

1991

Human Psychopharmacology

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The content. criterion and face validity of human performance tests in psychopharmacology research were examined in an earlier paper. Most evidence on test meaning and interpretation, however, comprises construct validity. This is critically scrutinized here, through a brief analysis of human performance theory (Broadbent, Sanders, Sternberg), and taxonomies of human performance function (Fleishman, Holding). While much construct evidence is rather nebulous and untestable (non-disprovable), it is probably the most accurate representation of current views on performance assessment. Tests gradually fall out of favour (or) into favour, rather than being shown to be clearly invalid (or) valid. Factor analysis, and task discrimination, are, however, two procedures for placing test interpretation/meaning on a sounder empirical basis. Returning to the overall problem of how best to investigate test validity. several proposals are made. Further criterion information should be sought, in large-scale studies, designed specifically to compare the practical utility of different tests and test batteries. There needs to be greater atmosphere of critical debate on test meaning, in order to clarify the performance functions being assessed. Factor analysis and task discrimination procedures also need to be more widely employed. Lastly, although many tests can be seen as measures of 'information processing', the inference that they provide indices of 'real-life performance', can rarely be made on current evidence.

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“…Also, there is some debate, about just how commonly the syndrome occurs, with some citing it as a fairly infrequent occurrence (NIDA, 1982). In addition, anthropological investigations of heavy Cannabis users in other countries generally have not found the presence of the amotivational syndrome (Carter, 1980, Carter and Doughty, 1976, Comitas 1976, Page 1983, and laboratory studies on Cannabis use in human have not supported the hypothesized syndrome (Foltin, Fishman, Brady, Kelly, Bernstein and Nellis 1989; Foltin, Fishman, Brady, Bemstan, Caprioti, Nellis, and Kelly, 1990).…”

Section: Marijuana Controversymentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical Utility of Cannabis Sativa

Ayenigbara¹

2012

iosrphr

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Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) is a crop which is grown all over the world. The plant is one of the most hated, maligned and detested any where in the world and huge sums of money and efforts are being expended to annihilate its production, distribution, marketing and consumption. Cannabis sativa is erroneously believed to cause deleterious health problems among other controversies. However, studies have shown that this plant, apart from being regarded as one of the five sacred crops, has a lot of medical, recreational, commercial and social uses. Evidences have also shown that marijuana is useful in the control and management of chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Asthma, Glaucoma, Cachexia, Hypertension, Depression, etc. Nevertheless, further research is required to make this wonderful plant more useful to humanity.

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Cannabis and Work in Jamaica: A Refutation of the Amotivational Syndrome*

Cited by 49 publications

References 5 publications

Cannabis users differ from non-users on measures of personality and schizotypy

Cannabis users differ from non-users on measures of personality and schizotypy

Performance tests in human psychopharmacology (3): Construct validity and test interpretation

Medical Utility of Cannabis Sativa

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