In order to convince Debra to take the last row of her traditional, four-week birth control pill pack (that is, the row of pills that are chemically inert) the nurse at the clinic told her that the sugar in the inert pills would help to decrease her menstrual cramps. Indeed, Debra found that her cramps were less painful when she took the sugar pills as directed. What is the technical term for Debra's experience?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The technical term for Debra's experience is the placebo effect. Placebos are inactive substances that can produce a therapeutic effect due to the patient’s belief in their efficacy. In this case, Debra believed that the sugar pills would help to decrease her menstrual cramps, and her belief influenced her experience.

In Order to Convince Debra to Take the Last Row