Use the Following to Answer Questions

question 3

Multiple Choice

Use the following to answer questions
Scenario I
Scenario I is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study:
Merikle,P.M. ,& Skanes,H.E.(1992) .Subliminal self-help audiotapes: A search for placebo effects.Journal of Applied Psychology,77(5) ,772-776.doi:10.1037/0021-9010.77.5.772
Merikle and Skanes (1992) investigated the effectiveness of subliminal self-help audiotapes to promote weight loss in overweight females seeking to lose weight.Participants were randomly assigned to groups.Participants in two groups were instructed to listen to audiotapes containing subliminal messages associated with weight loss daily.Group 1 (the subliminal group) actually received these tapes.Group 2 (the placebo group) received tapes containing subliminal messages associated with relieving dental anxiety.Finally,a third group of participants was not given audiotapes and was told that they were on a waiting list to participate in the study.All participants-including the participants on the waiting list-were weighed weekly for 5 weeks.The average total weight loss (and standard deviations) for the three groups after the fifth week is presented in Figure 5.1.
Figure 5.1
-(Scenario I) Suppose that the waiting list group did NOT lose weight.Based on these hypothetical findings,what is the MOST reasonable conclusion about the weight loss in the subliminal group?

• A)The observed weight loss was entirely due to a placebo effect.
• B)The observed weight loss was not due to placebo effects but rather due to participant motivation to lose weight.
• C)The subliminal messages were truly effective at facilitating weight loss.
• D)The observed weight loss was due to a combination of placebo effects and participant motivation.

---

Definitions:

Unconditioned Stimulus

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally—naturally and automatically—triggers a response.

Conditioned Stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with the unconditioned stimulus, eventually comes to trigger a conditioned response.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.