Questions: Question 24 (2 points) Responding to the hysteria about a new disease outbreak, a social media influencer is promoting their product as a cure. Knowledgeable medical authorities are warning of the dangers of this product. But his social media is full of comments from customers claiming it did work very well. Which of the following should be considered most carefully as a possible explanation of this pattern? Placebo Effect Retrospective Studies Grassroots promotion None of the choices are plausible.

Question 24 (2 points)
Responding to the hysteria about a new disease outbreak, a social media influencer is promoting their product as a cure. Knowledgeable medical authorities are warning of the dangers of this product. But his social media is full of comments from customers claiming it did work very well. Which of the following should be considered most carefully as a possible explanation of this pattern?
Placebo Effect
Retrospective Studies
Grassroots promotion
None of the choices are plausible.

Transcript text: Question 24 (2 points) Responding to the hysteria about a new disease outbreak, a social media influencer is promoting their product as a cure. Knowledgeable medical authorities are warning of the dangers of this product. But his social media is full of comments from customers claiming it did work very well. Which of the following should be considered most carefully as a possible explanation of this pattern? Placebo Effect Retrospective Studies Grassroots promotion None of the choices are plausible.

Solution

Solution Steps

To determine the most plausible explanation for the pattern of positive comments despite warnings from medical authorities, we should consider the psychological and social factors that could influence customer perceptions and reports. The placebo effect is a well-documented phenomenon where individuals experience real improvements in their condition simply because they believe they are receiving an effective treatment.

Step 1: Understanding the Context

The question presents a scenario where a social media influencer promotes a product as a cure for a disease, while medical authorities warn against it. Despite the warnings, many customers claim the product worked well for them. We need to analyze the possible explanations for this phenomenon.

Step 2: Analyzing Possible Explanations

Among the options provided, we consider the following:

Placebo Effect: This refers to the improvement in a patient's condition due to their belief in the treatment rather than the treatment itself. It is a significant psychological factor that can lead to positive feedback.
Retrospective Studies: These studies analyze past data but may not directly explain the immediate positive feedback from customers.
Grassroots Promotion: This involves organic promotion by users but does not inherently explain the effectiveness of the product.
None of the choices are plausible: This option suggests that none of the explanations fit, which seems unlikely given the context.

Step 3: Evaluating the Most Plausible Explanation

The Placebo Effect stands out as the most relevant explanation. It accounts for the positive experiences reported by customers, as their belief in the product's efficacy could lead to perceived improvements in their condition.