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)the subjects are secretly taking other antidepressants on the side
C)Dr.Sesay accidentally gave them the real antidepressants
D)they expect to feel better, which makes them feel better
E)random variation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely explanation is the placebo effect, where individuals experience a perceived or actual improvement in their condition solely because they expect the treatment to work, even though they are only taking sugar pills.

Dr Sesay Is Testing a New Antidepressant