Dr.Sesay is testing a new antidepressant.He gives the experimental group the new medication and the control group sugar pills that look exactly the same as the real medication.However,some of the people who are taking the sugar pills start to feel less depressed.What is the most likely explanation?
A) Sugar relieves depression to some extent.
B) They expect to feel better,which makes them feel better.
C) Dr.Sesay accidentally gave them the real antidepressants.
D) The subjects are secretly taking other antidepressants on the side.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as the placebo effect, where people who believe they are receiving treatment feel better even if the treatment is inactive. In this case, the control group received sugar pills that do not contain any active ingredients, but they still may have experienced the placebo effect by expecting to feel better.

DrSesay Is Testing a New Antidepressant