Placebo Effect Paper
How to conduct a hoax:
Memory Plus and the placebo effect
Shawna Rosser, Shannon Ciuk, Martina Zhelezarova
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Abstract
This study’s objective is to test the placebo effect in an attempt to measure if participants will notice expected results from a product when primed. Although no active drug was be given, participants were told that the placebo capsules (gelatin capsules filled with cornstarch) were actually “study-boosting” capsules called “MemoryPlus,” aimed to increase students’ energy and ability to memorize materials studied. We expected a significant number of students to experience the expected effects of the capsule once primed. This study should shed light on how communities …show more content…
are lead to believe in unsupported treatments, and highlight how students may be lead to believe in the effects of the “drug” according to the expectancy theory.
Every day, consumers fall prey to hoaxers hocking products that are meant to work miracles. This study looks at what goes into making communities hold a steadfast belief in products or treatments that hold no merit are have no supportive evidence of actually working. Using the idea of the placebo effect, our study used cornstarch-filled gelatin capsules to convince consumers that we were giving them samples of a new study aid named “MemoryPlus,” which aimed to increase energy and memory ability. The expectancy theory offers an explanation for how the placebo effect works: the effect of the placebo is felt simply because the recipient expects it (Stewart-Williams, 2004).
Because of this expectancy theory, the way a product is advertised or described by professionals is important, and can lead to a stronger chance of the placebo effect taking place (Stewart-Williams, 2004). The expectancy theory may work, in terms of the placebo effect, because if the consumer expects certain results, they may feel less anxiety therefore making them feel better; the expectancy of change can also create a change in the person’s behavior (Stewart-Williams, …show more content…
2004).
Caffeine is a widely used drug, making the effects of caffeine already known to many of the participants already. Because participants had expectancies of the drug’s effects, it was predicted that many of the participants would feel the same effects they would get when drinking a cup of coffee. Expectancies often influence a drug’s perceived effects (Harrell, 2009). In our study, we lead participants to believe that are placebo capsules were “study-boosting” capsules that would make the participants feel more awake and be able to focus better than before taking the capsules. By providing a backstory using the names of credible persons, and giving vague information about the exact effects and when they would happen, we utilized the ideas of the expectancy theory to convince our participants that our product was effective. We hypothesized that a significant number of participants would report feelings of more energy.
Method
Participants
Participants of this study were 11 students from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). Participants were recruited through a tabling event in the Marketplace in the Amsler Campus Center, as well as the experimenters asking their housemates to participate. Participants consisted of both males and females with various demographic backgrounds and ranging in age. The names of the students and their results remain anonymous and were not used for any other purpose other than to be used for contact so the survey could be distributed via email.
Materials Clear and empty gelatin capsules were filled with corn starch and placed in clear plastic sandwich bags for distribution. For credibility, a website was produced using a website template provided by www.Wix.com. The website can be accessed at the following link, http://memoryplus.wix.com/memoryplus. SurveyMonkey.com was used in order to construct a survey that could be distributed through MCLA’s email system (Firstclass) to participants.
Procedure A website was produced so that once participants had tried the product or other possible participants heard about it, they could have conducted research and would have come across information. The website was also displayed on a laptop during the tabling event. At the tabling event, a signup sheet was provided so that participants could be contacted via email and a few bags of the capsules were displayed on the table so potential participants could see what the capsules looked like before taking them. Students were free to come to the table at their own will; although students who came to the table were strongly encouraged to try the capsules, they were not forced.
Students, who asked what the capsules were for, were told that Professor Byrne was working with a company to produce memory/energy enhancing capsules geared for college students. We told participants we were asked to help distribute the capsules and collect data based on the participants’ observations and self-reports of the capsules effects. Those students who asked what was in the capsules were told that it was a caffeine capsule. Students, who choose to sample the capsules were instructed to take just one or both at a time when they felt comfortable taking them, although they were encouraged to do so at home. Students were not given a time frame for when they should start feeling the effects. Students were then told that they would be contacted, asking them to complete a survey about their experience with the capsules. At the end of the survey, students received the debriefing form.
Measures Perceptions of effectiveness and satisfaction levels were measured in this experiment by a survey created by the experimenters using SurveyMonkey.com. Two of the 5 questions asked participants about their perceived effectiveness of the capsules using a 5 point Likert scale, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. One question asked about participant’s satisfaction using a 5 point Likert scale, 1 being very satisfied and 5 being very dissatisfied. There was also a question that asked if participants would recommend the product by using a 5 point Likert scale, 1 being strongly agree and 5 being strongly disagree. Another question asked participants how much they would be willing to pay for such a product. Students were also asked to list what effects they felt after taking the capsules.
Results
Overview of Analysis Results from the survey were analyzed using SPSS. We found no significant correlations between the variables, but ran frequencies.
Gender
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Male
4
36.4
36.4
Female
7
63.6
63.6
Total
11
100.0
100.0
More Energized
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Disagree
5
45.5
45.5
Not Sure
3
27.3
27.3
Agree
2
18.2
18.2
Strongly Agree
1
9.1
9.1
Total
11
100.0
100.0
Better Memory
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Disagree
6
54.5
54.5
Not Sure
3
27.3
27.3
Agree
1
9.1
9.1
Strongly Agree
1
9.1
9.1
Total
11
100.0
100.0
Recommended
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Disagree
5
45.5
45.5
Not Sure
3
27.3
27.3
Agree
2
18.2
18.2
Strongly Agree
1
9.1
9.1
Total
11
100.0
100.0
Satisfaction
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Very Dissatisfied
1
9.1
9.1
Dissatisfied
2
18.2
18.2
Not Sure
5
45.5
45.5
Satisfied
2
18.2
18.2
Very Satisfied
1
9.1
9.1
Total
11
100.0
100.0
Perceived Effects
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Relaxed
1
9.1
9.1
Energized
3
27.3
27.3
Nothing
5
45.5
45.5
Other
2
18.2
18.2
Total
11
100.0
100.0
After gathering the results from our study, we were able to get about 11 participants, 7 of which were female and 4 of which were male participants. According to the results from the survey,5 of the total participants felt that they were not more energized after taking the boosting capsules. When participants were asked if their memory seemed to improve after taking the capsules,6 of the 11 individuals disagreed.Although,the results were not very significant in our study, a few of our participants showed that they are willing to purchase the product if it were made available to buy. Individuals reported various different effects that they felt after taking the pill,1 participants stating they felt more relaxed,3 participants felt they are more energized and felt better throughout their day,5 of which said they did not have any effects from the capsule, and 2 of the participants they felt a boot of energy and they felt the capsule effects kick in but after a few hours they experienced a feeling of drowsiness and exhaustion which led them to low energy and possibly to fall asleep. Discussion The purpose of this study was to create a hoax based around the placebo effect.
It was an attempt to prove that our participants will be affected by the product which was distributed to them. In our study, we distributed gelatin capsules which were filled with starch, but we presented our product as a caffeinated capsule which is supposed to act as an energy boost, help with our memory and help individuals with their performance aimed towards educational purposes. Our expected hypothesis was that subjects will have a certain effect from taking the gelatin capsules. Following the distribution of the capsules, participants were asked to complete a survey letting us know of what their experience was like with Memory Plus energy boost
capsules. Although there were no significant results from our study, we gathered a decent percentage of individuals who were interested in purchasing our product for further use. Even though we did not have much participants which showed specific effects after taking the capsule, the ones that were experiencing effects from the pill were able to help us successful conclude that the placebo effect theory was efficacious.
Study-Boosting Capsules Survey
The following survey will be used to measure the effectiveness of our product and the level of your satisfaction with the results of this product after three days use. Your responses to these questions will be anonymous and you may discontinue your participation at any time without penalty. Only the primary investigators will have access to this data file which will be downloaded from a password protected website by the faculty advisor.
Gender: Male _______ Female _________
1. After taking the capsules I began to feel more energized and awake:
1- Strongly Agree
2- Agree
3- Not Sure
4- Disagree
5- Strongly Disagree
2. After taking the capsules, I found that it was easier to remember school materials studied:
1- Strongly Disagree
2- Disagree
3- Not Sure
4- Agree
5- Strongly Agree
3. I would recommend this study booster to friends:
1- Strongly Agree
2- Agree
3- Not Sure
4- Disagree
5- Strongly Disagree
4. How much would you be willing to pay for a product like this? _________________
5. How satisfied were you with the results of the use of this product?
1- Very Satisfied
2- Satisfied
3- Not Sure/Neutral
4- Dissatisfied
5- Very Dissastisfied
References
Stewart-Williams, S. (2004). The placebo effect: Dissolving the expectancy versus conditioning debate. Psychological bulletin, 130(2), 324-340.
Memory Plus and the placebo effect
Shawna Rosser, Shannon Ciuk, Martina Zhelezarova
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Abstract
This study’s objective is to test the placebo effect in an attempt to measure if participants will notice expected results from a product when primed. Although no active drug was be given, participants were told that the placebo capsules (gelatin capsules filled with cornstarch) were actually “study-boosting” capsules called “MemoryPlus,” aimed to increase students’ energy and ability to memorize materials studied. We expected a significant number of students to experience the expected effects of the capsule once primed. This study should shed light on how communities …show more content…
are lead to believe in unsupported treatments, and highlight how students may be lead to believe in the effects of the “drug” according to the expectancy theory.
Every day, consumers fall prey to hoaxers hocking products that are meant to work miracles. This study looks at what goes into making communities hold a steadfast belief in products or treatments that hold no merit are have no supportive evidence of actually working. Using the idea of the placebo effect, our study used cornstarch-filled gelatin capsules to convince consumers that we were giving them samples of a new study aid named “MemoryPlus,” which aimed to increase energy and memory ability. The expectancy theory offers an explanation for how the placebo effect works: the effect of the placebo is felt simply because the recipient expects it (Stewart-Williams, 2004).
Because of this expectancy theory, the way a product is advertised or described by professionals is important, and can lead to a stronger chance of the placebo effect taking place (Stewart-Williams, 2004). The expectancy theory may work, in terms of the placebo effect, because if the consumer expects certain results, they may feel less anxiety therefore making them feel better; the expectancy of change can also create a change in the person’s behavior (Stewart-Williams, …show more content…
2004).
Caffeine is a widely used drug, making the effects of caffeine already known to many of the participants already. Because participants had expectancies of the drug’s effects, it was predicted that many of the participants would feel the same effects they would get when drinking a cup of coffee. Expectancies often influence a drug’s perceived effects (Harrell, 2009). In our study, we lead participants to believe that are placebo capsules were “study-boosting” capsules that would make the participants feel more awake and be able to focus better than before taking the capsules. By providing a backstory using the names of credible persons, and giving vague information about the exact effects and when they would happen, we utilized the ideas of the expectancy theory to convince our participants that our product was effective. We hypothesized that a significant number of participants would report feelings of more energy.
Method
Participants
Participants of this study were 11 students from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). Participants were recruited through a tabling event in the Marketplace in the Amsler Campus Center, as well as the experimenters asking their housemates to participate. Participants consisted of both males and females with various demographic backgrounds and ranging in age. The names of the students and their results remain anonymous and were not used for any other purpose other than to be used for contact so the survey could be distributed via email.
Materials Clear and empty gelatin capsules were filled with corn starch and placed in clear plastic sandwich bags for distribution. For credibility, a website was produced using a website template provided by www.Wix.com. The website can be accessed at the following link, http://memoryplus.wix.com/memoryplus. SurveyMonkey.com was used in order to construct a survey that could be distributed through MCLA’s email system (Firstclass) to participants.
Procedure A website was produced so that once participants had tried the product or other possible participants heard about it, they could have conducted research and would have come across information. The website was also displayed on a laptop during the tabling event. At the tabling event, a signup sheet was provided so that participants could be contacted via email and a few bags of the capsules were displayed on the table so potential participants could see what the capsules looked like before taking them. Students were free to come to the table at their own will; although students who came to the table were strongly encouraged to try the capsules, they were not forced.
Students, who asked what the capsules were for, were told that Professor Byrne was working with a company to produce memory/energy enhancing capsules geared for college students. We told participants we were asked to help distribute the capsules and collect data based on the participants’ observations and self-reports of the capsules effects. Those students who asked what was in the capsules were told that it was a caffeine capsule. Students, who choose to sample the capsules were instructed to take just one or both at a time when they felt comfortable taking them, although they were encouraged to do so at home. Students were not given a time frame for when they should start feeling the effects. Students were then told that they would be contacted, asking them to complete a survey about their experience with the capsules. At the end of the survey, students received the debriefing form.
Measures Perceptions of effectiveness and satisfaction levels were measured in this experiment by a survey created by the experimenters using SurveyMonkey.com. Two of the 5 questions asked participants about their perceived effectiveness of the capsules using a 5 point Likert scale, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. One question asked about participant’s satisfaction using a 5 point Likert scale, 1 being very satisfied and 5 being very dissatisfied. There was also a question that asked if participants would recommend the product by using a 5 point Likert scale, 1 being strongly agree and 5 being strongly disagree. Another question asked participants how much they would be willing to pay for such a product. Students were also asked to list what effects they felt after taking the capsules.
Results
Overview of Analysis Results from the survey were analyzed using SPSS. We found no significant correlations between the variables, but ran frequencies.
Gender
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Male
4
36.4
36.4
Female
7
63.6
63.6
Total
11
100.0
100.0
More Energized
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Disagree
5
45.5
45.5
Not Sure
3
27.3
27.3
Agree
2
18.2
18.2
Strongly Agree
1
9.1
9.1
Total
11
100.0
100.0
Better Memory
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Disagree
6
54.5
54.5
Not Sure
3
27.3
27.3
Agree
1
9.1
9.1
Strongly Agree
1
9.1
9.1
Total
11
100.0
100.0
Recommended
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Disagree
5
45.5
45.5
Not Sure
3
27.3
27.3
Agree
2
18.2
18.2
Strongly Agree
1
9.1
9.1
Total
11
100.0
100.0
Satisfaction
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Very Dissatisfied
1
9.1
9.1
Dissatisfied
2
18.2
18.2
Not Sure
5
45.5
45.5
Satisfied
2
18.2
18.2
Very Satisfied
1
9.1
9.1
Total
11
100.0
100.0
Perceived Effects
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Relaxed
1
9.1
9.1
Energized
3
27.3
27.3
Nothing
5
45.5
45.5
Other
2
18.2
18.2
Total
11
100.0
100.0
After gathering the results from our study, we were able to get about 11 participants, 7 of which were female and 4 of which were male participants. According to the results from the survey,5 of the total participants felt that they were not more energized after taking the boosting capsules. When participants were asked if their memory seemed to improve after taking the capsules,6 of the 11 individuals disagreed.Although,the results were not very significant in our study, a few of our participants showed that they are willing to purchase the product if it were made available to buy. Individuals reported various different effects that they felt after taking the pill,1 participants stating they felt more relaxed,3 participants felt they are more energized and felt better throughout their day,5 of which said they did not have any effects from the capsule, and 2 of the participants they felt a boot of energy and they felt the capsule effects kick in but after a few hours they experienced a feeling of drowsiness and exhaustion which led them to low energy and possibly to fall asleep. Discussion The purpose of this study was to create a hoax based around the placebo effect.
It was an attempt to prove that our participants will be affected by the product which was distributed to them. In our study, we distributed gelatin capsules which were filled with starch, but we presented our product as a caffeinated capsule which is supposed to act as an energy boost, help with our memory and help individuals with their performance aimed towards educational purposes. Our expected hypothesis was that subjects will have a certain effect from taking the gelatin capsules. Following the distribution of the capsules, participants were asked to complete a survey letting us know of what their experience was like with Memory Plus energy boost
capsules. Although there were no significant results from our study, we gathered a decent percentage of individuals who were interested in purchasing our product for further use. Even though we did not have much participants which showed specific effects after taking the capsule, the ones that were experiencing effects from the pill were able to help us successful conclude that the placebo effect theory was efficacious.
Study-Boosting Capsules Survey
The following survey will be used to measure the effectiveness of our product and the level of your satisfaction with the results of this product after three days use. Your responses to these questions will be anonymous and you may discontinue your participation at any time without penalty. Only the primary investigators will have access to this data file which will be downloaded from a password protected website by the faculty advisor.
Gender: Male _______ Female _________
1. After taking the capsules I began to feel more energized and awake:
1- Strongly Agree
2- Agree
3- Not Sure
4- Disagree
5- Strongly Disagree
2. After taking the capsules, I found that it was easier to remember school materials studied:
1- Strongly Disagree
2- Disagree
3- Not Sure
4- Agree
5- Strongly Agree
3. I would recommend this study booster to friends:
1- Strongly Agree
2- Agree
3- Not Sure
4- Disagree
5- Strongly Disagree
4. How much would you be willing to pay for a product like this? _________________
5. How satisfied were you with the results of the use of this product?
1- Very Satisfied
2- Satisfied
3- Not Sure/Neutral
4- Dissatisfied
5- Very Dissastisfied
References
Stewart-Williams, S. (2004). The placebo effect: Dissolving the expectancy versus conditioning debate. Psychological bulletin, 130(2), 324-340.