People in the grocery store are asked to do a taste test of a new soft drink product. Two paper cups are given to each person who volunteers. Fifty percent of the participants are given two different soft drinks. The other half receive the same product, but are told the drinks are different. Those who report that they taste a difference between the drinks, when they are exactly the same are:

Question

People in the grocery store are asked to do a taste test of a new soft drink product. Two paper cups are given to each person who volunteers. Fifty percent of the participants are given two different soft drinks. The other half receive the same product, but are told the drinks are different. Those who report that they taste a difference between the drinks, when they are exactly the same are:

demonstrating a placebo effect.
involved in a double-blind study.
participating in a single-blind study, the same as the other half.
demonstrating the results of experimenter effects.
This is making me scratch my head, but I opted for D.

Answer 1

I believe that it's A.

Answer 2

I second Jen's response.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo

Answer 3

I understand why you may have chosen option D, but the correct answer is actually option C: participating in a single-blind study, the same as the other half.

Here's an explanation of each option:

A) Demonstrating a placebo effect: A placebo effect occurs when a person experiences a perceived change in their condition or perception, even though they have not received any actual treatment or substance. In this scenario, both groups of participants are given the same soft drink, so the concept of a placebo effect does not apply.

B) Involved in a double-blind study: In a double-blind study, neither the participants nor the researchers know which group receives the control substance and which receives the actual treatment. However, in this scenario, the participants are aware that they are receiving the same product, but are just told differently about it.

C) Participating in a single-blind study, the same as the other half: This is the correct answer. In a single-blind study, participants are unaware of certain details of the study or treatment. In this case, all participants are blind to the fact that they are receiving the same product. Half of them are misled to believe that they are receiving different drinks, while the other half knows the truth.

D) Demonstrating the results of experimenter effects: Experimenter effects occur when the behavior or expectations of the researcher unintentionally influence the participants' responses or behaviors. This option does not apply in this scenario as the behavior observed is not a result of any influence from the researchers.

So, in summary, the participants who report a difference in taste, even when given the same drink, are participating in a single-blind study, just like the other half of the participants.