Overview & Description:

The Placebo Effect involves a change in a person’s symptoms that are attributable to the individual’s belief and expectations rather than to the actual treatment.

Example:

A person may report pain relief after taking a sugar pill (placebo) because they believe it’s a painkiller.

Implications:

Understanding the placebo effect is crucial in the field of medical research and clinical treatment, to differentiate actual treatment effects from psychological belief effects.

References:

• Benedetti, F. (2009). Placebo effects: understanding the mechanisms in health and disease. Oxford University Press.