46-115 Study Guide - Comprehensive Final Exam Guide - Memory, Psychology, Prefrontal Cortex

• School: University of Windsor
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1150
• Professor: Scott Mattson

Document Summary

A placebo is a substance or therapy that has no specific activity for the condition being treated. Modern placebos include sugar pills, saline injections, vitamins, and other medications and are prescribed regularly but may be nonspecific in their action. The placebo effect are often referred to as nonspecific effects in contrast to the specific effects expected by prescribed medical treatment. Modern placebos include sugar pills, saline injection, vitamins, and other medications that are prescribed regularly but may be nonspecific in their action. Placebo control groups are used in testing the effectiveness of certain drugs; effects beyond the placebo group are considered to be due to the real effects of the drug. Ancient placebos include lizard"s blood, swine teeth, leaching, and most early medical practices. Belief that a placebo will work may be essential for a placebo"s effectiveness. Situational factors also influence administration of placebo (ie. white lab coat).