Jennifer had a headache and was told she was given a name brand medicine but it was really a sugar pill. Three hours later she was asked if she feels better, and she agreed she did. What does the placebo effect mean in this specific situation?
a.) The benefit is due to the fact that Jennifer was given the treatment (pill, although only a sugar pill) and not an effect of the "active ingredient" (headache medicine).
b.) Jennifer received the benefit from the treatment since she also took a nap.
c.) The benefit is the fact that Jennifer received the treatment (pill, although only a sugar pill) and it contains another active ingredient.
d.) The benefit is that Jennifer was given the control (pill, although only a sugar pill) and not the active ingredient (cough medicine).