Final answer:
The term for the group in an experiment that receives no treatment is the 'control group.' This group may receive a placebo to eliminate psychological biases and help researchers isolate the effect of the actual treatment studied.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an experiment, the group that receives no treatment is referred to as the control group. This is a fundamental component in scientific research, allowing researchers to compare the effects of the experimental treatment with a baseline or standard. Individuals in the control group might be given a placebo, which is a "fake" treatment that has no effect on health, to ensure that any psychological or physiological changes observed in the experimental group can be attributed to the experimental treatment itself. The use of placebos also helps researchers control for the placebo effect, which is a response to a treatment based solely on the belief that one is receiving an active treatment. Conducting a blind experiment, where subjects do not know if they're in the control or experimental group, helps to avoid bias.