Phil is a participant in a study designed to examine the effects of taking a dietary supplement on muscle tissue development.Phil suspects he is in the experimental group,because he is certain his muscles are bigger and stronger as a result of taking the product supplied by the researchers.When the study is completed,Phil learns that he did not receive the dietary supplement.Phil thinks the researchers made a mistake-he is certain his muscle mass increased while he took the supplement.According to this information,Phil's belief that his physical condition improved while he participated in the study is an example of ______.
A)an anecdotal report
B)human subject bias
C)participant fatigue
D)the placebo effect

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phil's belief that he experienced an improvement in his physical condition even though he did not receive the dietary supplement suggests that he experienced the placebo effect. The placebo effect refers to the phenomenon where a person experiences a positive outcome from a treatment or intervention, even though the treatment itself may have no therapeutic value. In this case, Phil's belief that he had taken the supplement and experienced improvements in his muscle tissue may have led to his actual experience of these changes, even though he did not receive the active supplement.

Phil Is a Participant in a Study Designed to Examine