Smarticle Particles

           So, we have finished another tree-killing packet (just saying most of blogs will probably begin like this) and we have entered into more exciting waters of psychology. While learning about all different types of research that don't give conclusions was fun, I was more interested in experimentation. Apparently, there are all sorts of factors that have to be taken for consideration when doing experiments. The most important thing to do when experimenting is to have an experimental group and a control group. These two groups are highly effective when trying to study the effects of something, such as medicine or social situations. The experimental group gets the experiment and the control group gets the placebo. But what is a placebo?

            I actually learned what a placebo was on September 11, 2009 (weird how that was only a few days ago, except not in 2009, obviously) when The Suite Life on Deck came out with an episode called "Smarticle Particles". And yes I did look that up, I am not a Suite Life on Deck expert. In this episode, for those who don't know, Cody bets Bailey that she won't be able to help London get a B on a test. Bailey takes the bet and decides to use the placebo effect on London, pretending that her perfume makes her smarter. This does not end up working, and London gets a C+, but in the end, its the "Special Smart Lipstick" that helps London get a B+.

            When I found out that we would be learning about the placebo effect in this class, I immediately remembered watching this episode. It is a perfect example of the placebo effect. The actual definition of placebo is "a simulated or otherwise medically ineffectual treatment for a disease or other medical condition intended to deceive the recipient," which is a bunch of words that means just thinking that you are being given help can actually help you. To me, this is one of the most fascinating things about the brain and hopefully we'll be able to go into more depth about why and how it occurs later on.