Abstract
Definitions of the term placebo are considered in relation to the new cognitive-behavioral trend in psychotherapy and recent research on the differential effects of various placebo procedures. Existing definitions either lead to the inclusion of procedures that are not generally regarded as placebos (e.g., systematic desensitization and rational emotive therapy) or result in an empty set. Thus the placebo construct, while valid in drug research, may not be meaningful in relation to psychotherapy outcome studies. Control conditions should be designed for more specific purposes than controlling for the placebo effect. In addition, research directed toward specifying the laws governing the effectiveness of manipulations termed placebos is strongly urged.
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Kirsch, I. The placebo effect and the cognitive-behavioral revolution. Cogn Ther Res 2, 255–264 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01185787
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01185787