Reference no: EM133366034

In Chapter 1, we learned about the importance of using controls in an experiment. Placebos are one common form of control condition in which psychologists use a substance or process with no expected effect. The effect of the placebo condition is then compared to the effects of the experimental manipulation. However, in some cases, researchers see that people are affected by the placebo, even though it was not expected to have any effect. For example, some people will display signs of being intoxicated after drinking a non-alcoholic drink designed to mimic the taste of alcohol. When testing medicine, some people report less pain or improvements in their condition even after taking a placebo pill.

Based on what you've learned so far, where do you think the placebo effect comes from? How could you design an experiment to test your hypothesis about where the placebo effect comes from? Do you think there is a biological explanation for the placebo effect, based on what you've learned in Chapter 2? Do you see any similarities between hypnosis, described in Chapter 4, and the placebo effect? Are there any times in your own life that you think you may have experienced the placebo effect?