This study used a within-subjects design. Smokers attended four 90-min laboratory sessions scheduled approximately three days apart. The four sessions provided a complete crossing of two pre-laboratory smoking deprivation conditions (12-hour deprived vs. non-deprived) with two conditions of acute nicotine spray administration (nicotine vs. placebo). During each session, participants viewed affective pictures (positive, negative, neutral) while startle probes were administered.
