Asked by pahul bajwa on Jul 08, 2024

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Zachary has been very depressed for several weeks.He just started therapy and went to his therapist for the first time yesterday.Today he says that while he is still "a little down," he feels much less depressed than he was.Which pair of factors are most likely to have contributed to his improved mood

A)  placebo effect and regression toward the mean 
B)  regression toward the mean and therapy 
C)  regression toward the mean and spontaneous recovery 
D)  placebo effect and therapy

Placebo Effect

The beneficial effect on a patient's health that arises from the patient's expectations rather than from the actual treatment.

Regression Toward The Mean

The statistical phenomenon where extreme scores or outcomes naturally return to the average over time.

Therapy

Therapy is a treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder, usually referring to psychological counseling and support.

  • Comprehend the notion of regression toward the mean in relation to psychological testing and outcomes of treatments.
  • Recognize the components that lead to successful therapy, involving interactions between the therapist and client and the therapist's training background.
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FILIZ COPURJul 10, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
The placebo effect, which can occur when a person believes they are receiving treatment and feels better despite the treatment having no therapeutic effect, and regression toward the mean, a statistical phenomenon where extreme feelings (like severe depression) naturally tend to return to their average state, are likely contributing to Zachary's improved mood after just one therapy session.