PSYC 1150 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Osteoarthritis, Morphine, Suggestibility
26 Jun 2018
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Week One (Sept. 11-15, 2017)
Introduction to Psychology/Behavioural Sciences
Lecture 01a: Spotlight on Placebos
What is a Placebo?
- 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.
What is the Placebo Effect?
- 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.
The Origins of Placebos
- From Latin (“plah-key-bow”) meaning “I shall please”. Ancient placebos include lizard’s
blood, swine teeth, leaching, and most early “medical” practices.
Power of Belief
- 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).
- Personal beliefs based on experience (ie. if a person thinks doctors are quacks, the
placebo effect may not be as effective for that person).
Situational Factors
Physical Cues: any physical aspect of the treatment or environment
- Injections are better than oral medications.
- Capsules are better than pills.
- More is better than less.
- Brand names work better than generic.
- Blue and green pills are better for tranquilizers (makes people sleepy).
- Pink, yellow and red pills are better for stimulants (gives people more energy).
Informal cues: content of the treatment’s instructions
- Information about a drug’s effects can elicit a placebo response and alter the
person’s responses in the direction suggested by the information given.
Interactive cues: the way in which the treatment instructions are delivered by
administrator.
- Behaviours and attitudes of the person administering the placebo can influence
the placebo’s effect/response.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
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).
