Question

Jamila is in a study that aims to evaluate the effects of a new vitamin drink on energy levels. She is told that she will be in the group receiving the drink and is asked to rate her energy levels at different points throughout the day. She feels very energized by the drink and rates her energy levels high. At the end of the study, she is debriefed and told that the experiment involved deception. She was actually in the group that received only flavored water. What is this type of effect called, and how could it be prevented in a future experiment wishing to evaluate the vitamin drink?

Answer 1

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Step-by-step explanation:

The type of effect described in the scenario is known as the placebo effect. The placebo effect occurs when a person experiences a positive or negative response to a treatment or intervention, even though the treatment itself has no therapeutic effect. In this case, Jamila believed she was receiving a vitamin drink that would increase her energy levels, and her perception of increased energy was influenced by her belief rather than the actual properties of the drink.

To prevent the placebo effect in future experiments evaluating the vitamin drink, researchers can implement the following measures:

1. Use a control group: Include a group of participants who receive a placebo (in this case, flavored water) instead of the actual vitamin drink. By comparing the outcomes between the experimental group and the control group, researchers can determine whether any observed effects are due to the treatment or simply a placebo response.

2. Double-blind design: Neither the participants nor the researchers involved in the study should know which group is receiving the actual vitamin drink and which group is receiving the placebo. This helps to eliminate bias and prevent participants from consciously or unconsciously influencing the results based on their expectations.

3. Randomization: Randomly assign participants to the experimental group or the control group. This helps ensure that any individual differences or confounding factors are evenly distributed between the groups, minimizing the potential for bias.

4. Use objective measures: Instead of relying solely on subjective ratings from participants, incorporate objective measures of energy levels, such as physiological markers or performance tests. This can provide more reliable and unbiased data.

By implementing these strategies, researchers can more accurately assess the true effects of the vitamin drink and minimize the influence of the placebo effect in future experiments.